Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostata)

Distribution

• throughout all oceans

Diet

• eat euphausiids

Description

• 8-10 meters in length
• weighs 8-13.5 tons
• 460-720 baleen plates
• plates max of 30 cm
• 50-70 throat grooves
• 2-3 meter blow
• tall dorsal fin 2/3 down their back

Behavior

• stick in groups of 2-3 animals
• communicate through the following:
• breaching
• grunts
• clicks
• pulses

Population

• about 610,000-1,284,000

Longevity

• about 60 years