Minke whale

The common minke whale (Balaenopterus acutorostrata) is quite a large animal as it can reach up to 10 m in length and 10 t in weight.

Minke whales are found all over the world but are much more common in colder waters. However, recent studies have shown that there are actually two closely related species, common minke whale in the northern hemisphere and southern minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in the southern hemisphere. To make things slightly more complicated there is also a dwarf form of the northern minke whale found in the southern hemisphere.

Minke whales frequently visit inshore waters, where other baleen whales—except humpbacks—are rare. Similar to humpbacks, minke whales have opportunistic feeding habits compared to the larger baleen whales, their diet ranging from planktonic crustaceans (krill) to large (> 80 cm) cod.