Quick answer
The fin whale is the second-largest animal on Earth after the blue whale, reaching 25 m (82 ft) and 70 tonnes with an asymmetric jaw colouring. A fast baleen whale capable of 40 km/h bursts, it filters krill and small fish and is listed Vulnerable after decades of commercial whaling.
Key takeaway
The fin whale is the second-largest animal on Earth after the blue whale, reaching 25 m (82 ft) and 70 tonnes with an asymmetric jaw colouring. A fast baleen whale capable of 40 km/h bursts, it filters krill and small fish and is listed Vulnerable after decades of commercial whaling.
Fin Whale overview
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) is a mammal listed here as Vulnerable. Typical weight Up to 70,000 kg (154,000 lb); lifespan around 80–90 years.
Fin Whale ecology
Diet: Carnivore — krill, small fish, and copepods (filter feeder). Habitat: Open oceans worldwide; migrates between feeding and breeding areas. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Fin Whales and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild fin whales are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Vulnerable. See the full Fin Whale profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Filter feeding at scale
Fin whales gulp enormous mouthfuls of water and strain krill and fish through baleen plates — keratin fringes hanging from the upper jaw. They lunge-feed in productive upwellings and may cooperate loosely to concentrate prey.
Asymmetric coloration
The right lower jaw is white, the left dark — a unique asymmetry whose function is debated, possibly related to corralling prey while swimming on their side. A prominent dorsal fin set far back gives a sleek profile unlike blue whales.
Sources
Fin Whale FAQs
What are key facts about fin whales?
The fin whale is the second-largest animal on Earth after the blue whale, reaching 25 m (82 ft) and 70 tonnes with an asymmetric jaw colouring. A fast baleen whale capable of 40 km/h bursts, it filters krill and small fish and is listed Vulnerable after decades of commercial whaling.
What is the scientific name of the fin whale?
Balaenoptera physalus — used in research and conservation listings for fin whales.
What do fin whales eat?
Fin Whales eat krill, small fish, and copepods (filter feeder), with seasonal and regional variation in Open oceans worldwide; migrates between feeding and breeding areas.
Where do fin whales live?
They are associated with Open oceans worldwide; migrates between feeding and breeding areas. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of fin whales?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.