Minke Whale
ExploreMammals
Minke Whale
Balaenoptera acutorostrata
The Minke Whale is a gentle giant that lives in the ocean. They are the second smallest whale and are known for their sleek bodies and friendly nature.
Appearance
The Minke Whale is slender with a sleek, dark grey back and a pure white belly. Its most distinctive feature is a bright white band on each flipper, making it easily identifiable from other whales.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCetaceaFamilyBalaenopteridaeGenusBalaenoptera
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A Minke whale's heart beats only 4-8 times per minute when diving.
Minke whales have a unique "chevron" pattern on their back.
They are the smallest of the baleen whales, but still huge!
They can eat up to 600 kg of food in a single day!
Special abilities
Ability
Super-Sized Filter
Minke Whales have baleen plates in their mouths that help them filter huge amounts of tiny prey from the ocean, like a giant sieve.
Ability
Silent Swimmer
Minke Whales have specialized blubber and smooth skin that help them glide almost silently through the water, making them stealthy hunters.
Ability
Deep Diver
Minke Whales can dive to impressive depths to find food, holding their breath for extended periods thanks to efficient oxygen use.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 700-1000 cm
- Weight
- 5000-10000 kg
- Lifespan
- 30-60 years
- Top Speed
- 38 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 300 days
Diet & Feeding
They gulp huge mouthfuls of ocean water to filter out tiny fish and shrimp for food!
Primary Foods
- krill
- copepods
- capelin
- cod
- herring
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eaten by
Killer Whale
Orcinus orca
Apex predators that hunt juvenile and sometimes adult Minke Whales.
eats
Antarctic Krill
Euphausia superba
A primary food source, filtered from the water in massive quantities.
eats
Calanus Copepod
Calanus finmarchicus
An important food source, especially for Minke Whales in northern waters.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Also known as
Northern Minke Whale
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Minke Whales are very friendly and not dangerous, but we should always watch them from a safe distance in the ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Minke Whale?
700-1000 cm
How much does Minke Whale weigh?
5000-10000 kg
How long does Minke Whale live?
30-60 years
How fast can Minke Whale move?
38 km/h
What does Minke Whale eat?
They gulp huge mouthfuls of ocean water to filter out tiny fish and shrimp for food!
How does Minke Whale hunt?
Filter Feeding
How many babies does Minke Whale usually have?
1
How long is Minke Whale's gestation?
300 days
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