# Minke Whale (*Balaenoptera acutorostrata*)

> The common minke whale is the smallest baleen whale in the rorqual family, reaching 8–10 m (26–33 ft) and inhabiting oceans from the Arctic to the Antarctic. It feeds on krill and fish, surfaces frequently, and is hunted in limited numbers by Japan, Norway, and Iceland despite global concern.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Common minke in the North Atlantic and North Pacific; dwarf and Antarctic minke in Southern Ocean waters from the ice edge to temperate seas.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/minke-whale/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Balaenopteridae
- **Genus:** Balaenoptera

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Balaenoptera acutorostrata |
| Diet | Carnivore — krill, small fish, and plankton (filter feeder) |
| Habitat | Coastal and offshore waters of all oceans; polar to temperate |
| Lifespan | 30–50 years |
| Weight | 5,000–10,000 kg (11,000–22,000 lb) |
| Top speed | Up to 35 km/h (22 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Elusive surface behaviour

Minke whales surface briefly with little fluke show, making them harder to study than larger whales. They are curious and sometimes approach boats. Pointed snouts and white banding on the flippers distinguish common minkes from the larger Antarctic minke.

## Feeding ecology

Minke whales lunge-feed on krill in polar summers and take herring, capelin, and sand eels in temperate waters. Their relatively small size lets them exploit shallow bays and fjords larger rorquals cannot enter as easily.

## Whaling controversy

Minke whales were less targeted during industrial whaling's peak but are now the main species hunted by Japan, Norway, and Iceland under objections or reservations to the commercial whaling moratorium. Population impacts are debated by the IWC and conservation groups.

## Conservation outlook

Listed Least Concern globally with hundreds of thousands estimated, minke whales still face entanglement, ship strikes, and climate-driven shifts in prey distribution. They are important indicators of ocean health in both polar and temperate ecosystems.

## Frequently asked questions

### How big is a minke whale?

Common minkes reach about 8–10 m and 5–10 tonnes — small compared with fin or blue whales but still large marine mammals.

### Are minke whales hunted?

Yes — Japan, Norway, and Iceland hunt minke whales commercially or for research, controversial under international whaling agreements.

### Minke whale vs dolphin?

Minke whales are much larger baleen whales that filter feed. Dolphins are toothed whales that hunt individual prey.

### Where do minke whales live?

All oceans — common minke in the North Atlantic and North Pacific; Antarctic minke in Southern Ocean ice edges.

### What do minke whales eat?

Krill in polar regions and small schooling fish such as herring and capelin in temperate waters.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Balaenoptera acutorostrata.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Balaenoptera%20acutorostrata&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Balaenoptera acutorostrata. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Balaenoptera_acutorostrata/)
- [Wikipedia — Minke Whale.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_minke_whale)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/minke-whale/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.