The common minke whale is the smallest species among the rorquals and the second smallest of all baleen whales. These gentle, curious, and intelligent marine mammals are known for their agility and adaptability.
On average, common minke whales grow to about 10 meters (33 feet) in length and weigh between 8 and 9 tons (around 17,000 pounds). They are fast swimmers, capable of reaching speeds of up to 39 kilometers per hour (24 miles per hour).
Common minke whales can live up to 50 years. Their population is considered healthy, with an estimated 180,000 individuals in the North Atlantic and around 500,000 worldwide.
Common minke whales have sleek, dark bodies colored in shades of black, deep brown, and grey, with lighter bellies that often flash through the water as they swim. Their long, pointed snouts and straight mouths give them a distinctive, almost frowning expression. On top of their flat, ridged heads, they have not just one but two blowholes. A unique feature distinguishing northern hemisphere minke whales from their southern relatives is the striking white "armbands" that encircle their flippers.
Common minke whales are found in oceans worldwide. They prefer cooler climates and are frequently spotted in coastal and inshore waters, although they are less common in tropical regions. In winter, they typically migrate toward warmer waters to breed, returning to colder polar waters during the summer months to feed. After a gestation period of about 10-11 months, females give birth to a single calf that measures about 2.5 meters (8 feet) long. The calf is nursed by its mother for several months, during which it grows rapidly on the nutrient-rich milk.
Minke whales are baleen feeders, using comb-like baleen plates in their mouths to filter their prey. Their diet is varied, consisting mainly of krill, plankton and small schooling fish (e.g. anchovies, dogfish, capelin, coal fish, cod, eels herring etc.).
Visit our Map Gallery Arctic Portal specializes in creating customized graphical maps that cover a range of significant Arctic topics with global recognition. We are continuously working on new maps and adding them to our Gallery.
