Fin whales are big on socializing with other gentle giants — often seen in groups and feeding alongside other species like humpbacks and minke whales!
The fin whale is primarily found offshore in temperate and subpolar waters around the world — less commonly seen in the tropics. These mammals are appropriately named for the small fin on their back that enables scientists and whale watchers alike to identify them. They have long, streamlined bodies, V-shaped heads, and have a dark back and white belly. Most fin whales also have multiple varying light gray chevron marks on the back of their heads, which can be used by scientists to identify individuals. Fin whales grow up to 25.9 meters (85 feet) in length — making them the second largest behind blue whales, which get all the glory for being the largest animal on the planet.
Fin whales are a migratory species, traveling between breeding grounds and feeding grounds. The location of winter breeding grounds is secret that only fin whales are in on — scientists still don′t know where it is! Fin whales feed on krill, small fish, and squid by collecting large amounts of food at a time. The accordion-like pleats in their throats expand so that they can take in large gulps before filtering out the water through their baleen plates. Even though they feed on some of the smallest prey in the ocean, each fin whale eats up to 2 tons of food each day.