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Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Not yet photographed by the community

Commonest whale in UK waters; white flipper bands.

Species Profile

Least Concern (IUCN); populations around the UK are stable and not currently threatened

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.

Did You Know?

•The minke whale is the smallest baleen whale species and the most abundant rorqual whale in the world
•They can dive to depths of over 200 metres and hold their breath for up to 20 minutes
•The name 'minke' is believed to derive from a Norwegian whaler named Meincke, though the origin is debated
•They produce complex vocalisations and clicks for communication and echolocation, including the famous 'boing' call
•Minke whales off the UK coast are typically of the North Atlantic subspecies (Balaenoptera acutorostrata acutorostrata)

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