Fin Whale
Balaenoptera physalus
- Class
- Mammal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 2,553
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Vulnerable
Description
The fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), also known as the finback whale or common rorqual, is a species of baleen whale and the second-longest cetacean after the blue whale. The biggest individual reportedly measured 26–27.3 m (85–90 ft) in length, with a maximum recorded weight of 65.5 to 120 tonnes (72.2 to 132.3 short tons; 64.5 to 118.1 long tons). The fin whale's body is long, slender and brownish-gray in color, with a paler underside to appear less conspicuous from below (countershading).
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Fin whale”.