- Lifespan
- 30–50 years in the wild
- Size & Weight
- 7–9 m in length; 5–10 tonnes in weight
- Habitat
- Cold and temperate oceanic waters, typically found in deep water offshore but occasionally in coastal regions and around the British Isles.
- UK Distribution
- Regular seasonal visitor to UK waters, particularly around Scotland, the North Sea, and western approaches; more common in spring and summer months.
- Diet
- Minke whales are baleen whales that feed primarily on small fish and crustaceans by filter-feeding through water.
- Prey
- Small fish (particularly sand eels, capelin, and herring), krill, and other small crustaceans
- Predators
- Orca (killer whale) and great white sharks; calves may also be vulnerable to larger marine predators
- Mating Season
- Autumn to early winter (October to February)
- Breeding
- Single calf born after gestation period of approximately 10–11 months; calves are weaned at around 6 months of age; females typically breed every 1–2 years
- Behaviour
- Minke whales are relatively active and agile for baleen whales, often seen breaching and displaying acrobatic behaviour. They are typically solitary or found in small groups and are known to be curious around vessels. They are migratory, moving between polar feeding grounds in summer and warmer breeding waters in winter.