Fin Whale
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Subclass:Eutheria
Order:Cetacea
Suborder:Mysticeti
Family:Balaenoptiidae
Genus:Balaenoptera
Species:Physalus
Binomial name
Balaenoptera physalus
The Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) is a mammal which belongs to the baleen whales suborder. It is the second largest whale, and hence the second largest animal ever to have lived, after the Blue Whale. It has a world wide distribution, and in Europe is readily seen in the Bay of Biscay.

This rorqual is a filter-feeder, using its baleen to strain plankton out of the seawater and may reach 26m length.

This whale feeds on fish, squid and crustaceans.

It is a long slim whale with a prominent dorsal fin. The fin is visible soon after the blow when the whale surfaces. It has a 5m vertical single column blow. The tail remains submerged during the dive sequence.

It swims on its right side when feeding, which may account for the asymmetrical head pattern, with a large whitish patch on the right side.

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