Scientific Name: Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Population: Estimated at 1,000,000 globally
Regions: North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans; temperate to polar waters in the Northern Hemisphere
Destinations: Jan Mayen, Iceland, Canada, Svalbard, Greenland, Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland
Average Length: Adult: Males: ~7–7.5 m (23–25 ft), Females: ~7.5–8.5 m (25–28 ft); Newborn: ~240–270 cm (8–9 ft)
Average Weight: Adult: Males: ~7,000–9,000 kg (15,400–19,800 lbs), Females: ~8,000–10,000 kg (17,600–22,000 lbs); Newborn: ~350 kg (770 lbs)
Diet Habits: Primarily fish (sardines, anchovies, cod, herring, and capelin), krill or other crustaceans
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Balaenopteridae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Species: B. acutorostrata
English: Minke Whale
Danish: Vågehval
Chinese: 小须鲸
Swedish: Vikval
Finnish: Pikkuvalas
Norwegian: Vågehval
Polish: Płetwal karłowaty
Japanese: ミンククジラ
Spanish: Ballena minke
French: Petit rorqual
The minke whale, the smallest whale among the rorqual species, typically measures between 7-10 meters (23–33 feet) in length. Males are slightly smaller than females, and newborn calves are around 2.5 meters (8–9 feet) long.
In addition to the significantly smaller size, the common minke whale features a distinct white band on each flipper, which contrasts with their deep grey dorsal colour. They possess a uniquely triangular, narrow, and pointed snout, earning them the nicknames "sharp-headed finner" and "little piked whale".
The minke whale's diet mainly consists of larger fish, such as herring, when these are available, but is also supplemented by krill. Its short baleen plates help filter this prey from seawater during feeding dives. When food is plentiful, they can be seen in pods of up to 100 animals.
From the Arctic to Antarctica, the minke whale's habitat spans all the world's oceans. It is found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, including waters around Iceland, Norway, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, and Scotland.
Considered the smallest of the rorqual whales, the minke whale is significantly smaller than its whale relatives:
Killer whales are the primary natural predators of the common minke whales, particularly targeting juveniles. They are also targets of commercial whaling, accidental capture in fishing gear, and pollution.
The common minke whale is not considered endangered and is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN. However, the species remains threatened by whaling, which continues in the North Atlantic and Antarctic, with an annual catch of 500-1,000 animals by countries such as Norway, Japan, and Iceland.
Minke Whale Fact #1:
The name “minke” means “winged whale” or “sharp snout.”
Minke Whale Fact #2:
The minke whale lifespan is estimated to be 40–50 years.
Minke Whale Fact #3:
The minke whale baleen system includes approximately 230 to 360 plates on each side of the upper jaw.
Minke Whale Fact #4:
Minke whales are the most abundant rorqual species worldwide.
Minke Whale Fact #5:
They are incredibly agile and can jump out of the water.
Minke Whale Fact #6:
The minke whale can be seen both close to shore and far out in the ocean, alone or in pairs, and sometimes in groups of three.
Minke Whale Fact #7:
Minke whale teeth are nonexistent; instead, they have baleen plates that allow them to filter feed.
Minke Whale Fact #8:
During winter, minke whales move closer to the equator, while those near the poles remain in ice-free waters areas.
Minke Whale Fact #9:
Minke whales are frequently spotted in Greenland, particularly around Nuuk and extending to Upernavik.
Minke Whale Fact #10:
Minke whales dive for 20-25 minutes, typically lasting 10-12 minutes.
Join Albatros Expeditions on a journey through the world's wild oceans and witness the minke whale in its natural habitat!
