Home › Mammalia › Balaenopteridae › Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)
Balaenoptera
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Worldwide
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Deep ocean
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Cetacea
FAMILY
Balaenopteridae
GENUS
Balaenoptera
📋 Description
SIZE
25-30 m body, 100-150 tonnes
COLORATION
Blue-grey, mottled
ADAPTATIONS
Largest animal ever, lunge feeder
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Deep ocean
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Worldwide
REPRODUCTION
1 calf every 2-3 years
DIET DETAILS
Krill
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Historical whaling, ship strikes
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The blue whale is the largest animal that has ever lived and can eat 4 tonnes of krill a day.
2
It was hunted to near extinction but is slowly recovering.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Husavik Iceland
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Summer
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for on whale-watching trips off Iceland.
