Species · GBIF taxon 2440735
Blue Whale
Balaenoptera musculusAlso known as Sulphur-bottom Whale, Sibbald's Rorqual
Blue whales glide through the world's oceans as the largest animals ever known to exist, their massive, mottled greyish-blue bodies stretching up to one hundred feet long. These gentle giants feed almost exclusively on tiny krill, filtering tons of water through their coarse baleen plates in a single gulp. Their low-frequency vocalizations can travel across entire ocean basins, allowing them to communicate over immense distances.
Marine MammalGiantMigratory
Licensed referenceNOAA / Public Domain (NOAA) · Public Domain (NOAA)
- diet
- Carnivorous (primarily krill)
- family
- Balaenopteridae
- threats
- Ship strikes, ocean noise, climate change, and entanglement in fishing gear
- life Span
- 80 to 90 years
EN
Extremely large size makes close vessel approaches hazardous; maintain a respectful distance.
Populations remain severely depleted from historical commercial whaling and face modern threats from ship strikes and ocean noise.
Never approach closer than legally mandated limits and cut engines if a whale approaches your vessel.- Watch the Blow: Look for a tall, columnar spray of water rising up to thirty feet in the air.
- Keep Your Distance: Maintain at least one hundred yards of space to avoid disrupting their natural behavior.
- Listen Closely: Use a hydrophone to hear their deep, rumbling vocalizations underwater.