FIN WHALE

Langreyður

Balaenoptera physalus

The Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus is the second biggest animal on the face of the earth. Only the blue whale is larger. The Fin whale does migrate from the soutern Atlantic ocean to the Icelandic waters every spring. It's the most common big whale in the world, after the Minke whale. The Fin whale can reach the lenght of 80 feets and weigh over 70 tonnes. They mainly stay in the deeper waters , but occaisionally are they spotted in the whale watching areas. They were catched untill the year 1989. The sighting of a Fin whale is unforgettable, they are extremely beutyful and streamlined, and its almost unbeleaveble to see this giant body rolling in the surface.

Length: 18-22 metres

Weight: 50-80 tons

Life expectancy: about 90 years

Status: was intensively whaled

The second-largest animal on Earth after the blue whale
The right jaw is distinctive white or pale in colour, while the left jaw is dark grey or black
One of the more commonly seen whales in the Northern Hemisphere
Often observed alone or in pairs
The blow is powerful and can be seen from long distances
When feeding on plankton and krill often rolls over at the surface
Fin whales are mostly found in deep water