Knowra Fin whale Fin whale The fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) is a large baleen whale found in oceans worldwide. Its streamlined body and asymmetrically colored lower jaw distinguish it from other whale species.
Baleen : Fringed plates of keratin in some whales’ mouths that filter prey from seawater. Fin whales strain small prey through baleen instead of capturing it with teeth.
Krill : Small, shrimp-like marine crustaceans that form dense swarms and feed many ocean animals. Krill are a major prey source for fin whales in several feeding regions.
North Atlantic fin whale : A regional population of fin whales inhabiting the North Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the best-studied populations, with documented feeding and migration patterns.
Blue whale : The largest known animal, a baleen whale in the same rorqual family as the fin whale. The blue whale is generally larger, while both species share streamlined bodies and lunge feeding.
Rorqual : A family of baleen whales with throat grooves that expand during feeding. The fin whale belongs to this group of lunge-feeding whales.
Schooling fish : Fish that gather and move in coordinated groups, often forming dense prey patches. Fin whales also lunge-feed on schooling fish such as herring and anchovies.
Mediterranean fin whale : A fin whale population that inhabits the Mediterranean Sea. Its relatively enclosed range makes it a distinct conservation and research case.
Sei whale : A streamlined rorqual whale found in oceans worldwide, generally smaller than the fin whale. Its similar body shape can make it confusing to distinguish from a fin whale.
Cetacea : The order of aquatic mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Fin whales are cetaceans, sharing their mammalian ancestry and aquatic adaptations.
Whale migration : Seasonal movement between feeding and breeding areas in many whale species. Fin whales undertake long migrations, though routes and timing vary by population.
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