| Distribution: |
Circumglobal except the Arctic: Balaenoptera physalus physalus: Svalbard, Barents Sea, North Carolina, Portugal, Cantabrian Sea, Newfoundland, Gulf of Mexico, Greater Antilles, Faroe Islands, Norway, Canary Islands, Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril Islands, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Sea of Japan, Japan, Taiwan, Ogasawara, Hawaii, California, Baja California, Gulf of California; Balaenoptera physalus quoyi: Ross Ice Shelf, Brazil, Gabon, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar, Western Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Peru, Chile (Ref. 1522). |
| Biology: |
The largest of the fin whales. Seen near shore, most commonly where deep water approaches the coast. Feeds on small invertebrates, schooling fishes, and squid. They are active lunge feeders (Ref. 1394). They are preyed upon by great white sharks (Ref. 32140). Following depletion of blue whale stocks, whalers shifted their attention to fin whales. Populations everywhere were substantially reduced. At present the worldwide population does not seem to appear in any immediate danger (Ref. 1394). Minimum depth from Ref. 116169. Seen near shore, most commonly where deep water approaches the coast (Ref. 1394). Commonly in groups of 2 to 7 individuals (Ref. 801). Feeds on small I krill (Ref. 122680), invertebrates, schooling fishes, and squid. They are active lunge feeders (Refs. 1394, 122680). |
