Suborder: Mysticeti Family: Balaenopteridae
June to August
ID characteristics
Small, slim, sleek dark body with pale underside and pale chevrons behind head Sharply pointed snout, flattened rostrum with longitudinal ridge on head Flippers are relatively short with pointed tips and normally have a white band in the middle
Dorsal fin is tall and falcate
Surface behaviour
When surfacing the snout breaks the water first at low angle, followed by the blow and smooth body roll.
For diving it arches almost vertically, exposing tailstock high with dorsal fin still visible
Distribution
Northern hemisphere between the equator and 70º North
Tropical, temperate and polar waters of the Northern hemisphere
Social
Alone or on a group up to 3 individuals
Diet
Krill, crustaceans and fish
Biometrics
Max length: 9.8 m
Adult weight: 5 to 15 ton
Blow
Short, up to 2 meters high and not very visible
IUCN Status: Least concerned
Madeira frequency status: Rare
Other languages common names
ENG - Northern Minke whale, Lesser rorqual, Little piked whale GER - Zwergwal, Minkwal FRA - Baleine de Minke, Petit rorqual, Baleinoptère à museau pointu ESP - Ballena de Minke, Rorcual Menor, Rorcual aliblanco, Ballena enana SWE - Vikval DAN - Vågehval ITA - Balenottera minore, Balenottera rostrata NED - Dwergvinvis NOR - Nordleg vågekval, Nordlig vågehval POL - Płetwal karłowaty
POR - Baleia de Minke, Baleia anã, Baleote, Baleia-minke, Finbeque (nos Açores)
