finback

The finback whale, also known as the fin whale or fin-backed rorqual, is a baleen whale belonging to the family Balaenopteridae. It is the second-longest cetacean species, surpassed only by the blue whale. Finback whales are characterized by their slender, streamlined bodies, dark grey to brown coloration on their backs and sides, and a distinctive white underside. A notable feature is their asymmetrical coloration: the lower jaw is white on the right side and dark on the left. They possess a single, prominent ridge on their back that extends from the dorsal fin to the tail.

These whales are found in all major oceans, from polar to tropical waters, and are known for their long migrations. They are migratory, often traveling between feeding grounds in colder waters and breeding grounds in warmer seas. Finback whales are filter feeders, primarily consuming small schooling fish and krill, which they capture by engulfing large volumes of water and expelling it through their baleen plates. They are known for their speed and agility in the water, capable of reaching speeds of up to 47 kilometers per hour.

Finback whales are generally solitary or travel in small groups of two to seven individuals. Their vocalizations consist of low-frequency pulses and moans, used for communication and navigation. Historically, finback whales were heavily hunted during the whaling era, leading to a significant decline in their populations. While their numbers have shown some recovery, they are still considered a vulnerable species. Conservation efforts and international regulations have been put in place to protect them from further threats, such as ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.