The smallest baleen whale, the common minke whale reaches around 8.8 metres and is built for speed rather than bulk. Look for a streamlined dark body, a pale band across each flipper, and a pointed rostrum—distinctive among rorquals. Minke whales are curious and sometimes approach boats, making them occasional but memorable sightings in temperate and polar waters. Their darting, energetic behaviour sets them apart from larger whale species.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Cetartiodactyla
- Family
- Balaenopteridae
- Genus
- Balaenoptera
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.