Species · GBIF taxon 2440718
Fin Whale
Balaenoptera physalusAlso known as Finback Whale, Common Rorqual, Herring Whale, Razorback Whale
Fin whales slice through the open ocean with remarkable speed, earning them the nickname greyhounds of the sea. They display a striking asymmetrical coloration on their heads, with the lower right jaw being bright white while the left side remains dark grey. These massive baleen whales migrate between cold polar feeding grounds and warm temperate breeding waters, communicating across vast ocean basins using low-frequency pulses.
MarineMigratoryGiant
Licensed reference(c) Cephas, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Krill
- Herring
- Copepods
Predators
- Killer whales (Orcas)
- Large sharks
ThreatsShip strikes, ocean noise pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, and climate change
HabitatsOpen ocean, deep pelagic waters, and continental shelf edges
Life span80 to 90 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBalaenopteridae
- SpeciesBalaenoptera physalus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Massive size poses a collision hazard; maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards when boating.
- What to notice
- Look for a sleek, dark grey body, a prominent falcate dorsal fin, and an asymmetrical white right jaw.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a distance of at least 100 yards and never steer a vessel directly into their path.
Responsible observation
- Watch the Blow: Look for a tall, column-like spout reaching up to six meters high when they surface.
- Check the Jaw: Use binoculars to spot the white right lower jaw, a key diagnostic feature.
- Keep Distance: Always follow local whale-watching guidelines and cut boat engines if they approach.
Predator (c) Martín Acosta Albarracín, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Martín Acosta Albarracín · cc-by
Prey (c) Krill666.jpg, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative NOAA / Public Domain (NOAA) · Public Domain (NOAA)
Close Relative (c) Christin Khan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Nils, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nils · cc-by
Family Member Wikimedia Commons / Public domain · cc0
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.