Spectacular sighting of a juvenile Fin whale in the Bay of Gibraltar
Juvenile Fin whale have been spotted by one of our researchers from the vessel of dolphin watching company Dolphin Adventure yesterday around 12 p. m. We have been fortunate to see the animal until 3 p.m.
Interesting Fin whale Facts:
Fin whale is the second largest animal on the planet (blue whale is the largest). It can reach 85 feet in length and 40 to 80 tons of weight.
Fin whales have V-shaped head and streamlined body. Hook-shaped fin can be seen on a dorsal side of the body. Fin whales have multiple ridges on the throat which facilitate ingestion of large quantities of water with food.
Fin whales have baleen plates (comb-like structure made of keratin) instead of teeth. Baleen plates filter edible particles from ingested sea water. This type of eating is known as filter-feeding.
Krill (small crustaceans) is basic type of food for fin whales. Sardines, cod, herring and mackerel are on the menu during the winter. Fin whale eats 2 tons of food each day.
Fin whale can dive to the depth of 1800 feet and stay under the water 20 minutes.
Fin whale is the fastest known whale species. It usually swims at the speed of 18 miles per hour, but it can reach 30 miles per hour when needed.
Fin whales rarely breach out of the water.
Fin whales are usually solitary or live in groups composed of 3 to 7 whales.
Fin whales produce low pitched sounds, grunts and moans for communication.
Fin whales feed in the cold waters. They migrate to warmer waters to reproduce.
Fin whales can survive more than 80 years in the wild.
