Common minke whales can be found in oceans all over the world, although they tend to prefer cooler waters. While they can weigh up to 10,000 kilograms (22,046 pounds), this doesn′t stop them from being incredibly acrobatic. These agile whales can still launch themselves completely out of the water like dolphins!
Common minke whales are baleen whales, meaning that instead of teeth, their mouth is full of about 300 baleen plates — long, flat structures made of keratin — that are yellowish in color. Because of these creatures′ wide distribution, their diet varies depending on where they live. Southern populations feed mostly on krill, whereas more northern populations have more variety in their diets and will also consume squid and small fish. For many years, it was thought there was only one species of minke whale, but scientists now recognize two distinct species: common minke whales and Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis).
Common minke whales have dark backs and sides, and white underbellies. They also have a white stripe across their flippers, and they have a dorsal fin. Although they can grow to be up to over 10 meters long (33 feet), common minke whales are the smallest of the baleen whale species.