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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Krill
- Copepods
Predators
- Orcas (Killer Whales)
ThreatsShip strikes, ocean noise, climate change, and entanglement in fishing gear
HabitatsOpen oceans, pelagic zones, and deep coastal waters
Life span80 to 90 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBalaenopteridae
- SpeciesBalaenoptera musculus
N. Atlantic S. Atlantic N. Pacific S. Pacific Indian Ocean Southern Ocean
Marine distribution — the ocean basins and seas where the species occurs.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Extremely large size makes close vessel approaches hazardous; maintain a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a massive, mottled blue-grey body with a tiny dorsal fin set far back on the spine.
- Support conservation
- Never approach closer than legally mandated limits and cut engines if a whale approaches your vessel.
Responsible observation
- 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.
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 (c) Cephas, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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
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