Why is it called a fin whale?
The fin whale is the second-largest whale species on earth, second only to the blue whale. It is found throughout the world’s oceans. It gets its name from an easy-to-spot fin on its back, near its tail. Like all large whales, fin whales were hunted by commercial whalers, which severely lowered their populations.
How many finback whales are left in the world?
The entire world population of Fin Whales is estimated to be around 100,000.
Where can I see finback whales?
Fin whales are found in deep, offshore waters of all major oceans, primarily in temperate to polar latitudes. They are less common in the tropics. If lucky, one can view fin whales along most coastal stretches of the polar latitudes, dependent on the right time of year, of course.
Are blue whales and fin whales related?
Fin whale – Balaenoptera physalus. Fin whales are the second largest species of whale after blue whales. The two species are closely related, but fin whales have more pointed heads and are more streamlined than their giant cousins and unlike them they have various patterns of lighter shadings on their backs .
Why are finback whales endangered?
Hunted by commercial whalers until the last century for oil, meat, and baleen, fin whales in the North Atlantic are listed as endangered. Like other large whales, fin whales are threatened by environmental change including habitat loss, toxics and climate change. Commercial whaling remains a threat for fin whales.
Which is the fastest whale in the ocean?
The fin whale
The fin whale is one of the fastest cetaceans and can sustain speeds between 37 km/h (23 mph) and 41 km/h (25 mph) and bursts up to 46 km/h (29 mph) have been recorded, earning the fin whale the nickname “the greyhound of the sea”.
What are the fastest whales?
Fin whales are the fastest of all great whales capable of swimming up to 23 miles per hour (23 kmph).