When the Planet’s Second Largest Animal Surfaces from the Ocean’s Depths, It’s an Awe-Inspiring Sight

The post When the Planet’s Second Largest Animal Surfaces from the Ocean’s Depths, It’s an Awe-Inspiring Sight appeared first on A-Z Animals.

The seemingly endless size and depth of the ocean can conceal breathtaking creatures so enormous that it can be difficult for us to even imagine them. One such animal is the fin whale, a true leviathan that moves with an elegant, almost magical quality. Second only in size to the blue whale, the fin whale’s powerful presence can leave onlookers spellbound. While most of us will never witness such a sight in person, thanks to advanced cameras and drones, we can catch a glimpse of these incredible animals at the surface before they disappear into the mysterious depths of the sea.

How Big Are Fin Whales?

As the second-largest animal on the planet, fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are truly impressive creatures. Males can reach up to 82 feet long and weigh about 77 tons. Females grow a bit larger, reaching up to 87 feet and weighing around 80 tons. Even as newborns, fin whales are about 21 feet long and weigh nearly 3 tons!

Despite their massive size, however, fin whales are remarkably fast. Their streamlined swimming habits have led to the nickname “greyhounds of the sea” and “razorbacks”. They have long and slender bodies that help them move gracefully and quickly through the water.

Fin whales are usually black, dark brown, and grey on their backs with lighter undersides. Their name comes from the distinct dorsal fin on their back near the tail, making them easy to identify. One of their most unique features is the coloring of their lower jaws: the left side is black, while the right side is bright white.

The Solitary Life of a Fin Whale

Compared to many other whale species, fin whales are not very social. They usually spend their time alone or in pairs. Interestingly, though, they occasionally spend time with blue whales, and there have even been cases of hybrid offspring. But overall, they are shy animals and hardly ever come out of the water at all. They rarely breach (jump out of the water) or even spyhop (lift their heads out of the water to look around).

However, like all marine mammals, fin whales need to come to the surface to breathe. But these majestic creatures can make this seemingly mundane action appear fluid and graceful, as seen in this mesmerizing YouTube video. They breathe through two blowholes on top of their heads, which are like nostrils. When they surface, they open their blowhole to release old air and take in new, fresh air. You will rarely see the whales themselves, but on occasion, you might see a tall spray of water coming from the surface.

Fin whales are very efficient breathers and replace about 90% of the air in their lungs with each quick breath. In contrast, humans only replace about 10% to 15%. When they dive, muscles around their blowhole close tightly, using spongy tissues like plugs to keep water out.

What Do Fin Whales Eat?

Fin whales are a type of baleen whale. This means they have large, flexible folds on their throats that can expand a lot. These folds allow them to take in enormous amounts of water and food all at once. Inside their mouths, the whales have special structures called baleen plates that work like a sieve or strainer.

When they take water in, they push it back out through these baleen plates. Small fish, krill, and other tiny shellfish get caught on the baleen for the whales to eat. Because their food is so small compared to their massive size, these whales need to eat a lot. Some can eat up to 4,400 pounds of krill in just one day!

Where Do Fin Whales Live?

Fin whales live in almost all of the Earth’s oceans, usually in deep, open areas with cooler water. Scientists think they migrate between areas where they breed and where they eat. However, some groups in the Mediterranean and near Mexico stay in the same place all year round.

Fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea are endangered. The species as a whole is listed as “vulnerable” by the IUCN. Like many other types of whales, fin whales were heavily hunted in the 19th century. Today, they still face many threats, including pollution, boat strikes, and climate change.

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