Top 10 Largest Whale Species In The World | Ocean Info

This list details the ten largest whales currently living in the Earth’s oceans. These whales have different habits, appearances, and habitats but are all worthy of study and appreciation.

Minke Whale

Length: 35 feet (10.5 meters).

Interesting fact: It’s nickname is “Stinky Minke,” these whales earn their title from the pungent odor produced by bacteria in their unique four-chambered stomach.

Despite being the smallest whales on our list, Minke whales are still impressive creatures, reaching up to 35 feet long and weighing as much as 20,000 pounds. There are two species: Northern and Antarctic. Northern Minke whales are distinguished by a white band on their flippers, while Antarctic Minkes are known for their krill-based diet.

Minke whales demonstrate remarkable adaptability. Antarctic Minkes thrive in the icy waters of the Southern Hemisphere, even venturing into pack ice. Common Minke whales display variations in size, coloration, and baleen structure depending on their location.

Byrde’s Whale

Length: 46 feet (14 meters).

Interesting fact: Often seen within 50 feet of the ocean surface.

Bryde’s whales thrive in warm waters around the globe. Often called “tropical whales,” they are easily recognized by their two blowholes and rows of baleen plates used for filtering food from the water. Though similar in appearance to Sei whales, Bryde’s whales have their own unique behaviors and feeding habits.

Despite their widespread distribution, Bryde’s whales remain a bit of a mystery. Scientists are still debating their exact classification, with questions surrounding potential subspecies or even separate species. What is known is that these whales are active lunge feeders, primarily targeting schooling fish.

Gray Whale

Length: 49 feet (15 meters).

Interesting fact: Nicknamed “Devil Fish,” these whales responded aggressively to whalers when hit with harpoons.

Gray whales are easily identified by their slate-gray color and distinctive white scars from parasites. They have two blowholes that create a heart-shaped blow when they surface, and they can live remarkably long lives, sometimes exceeding 70 years.

Famous for their incredible migrations along North America’s coastlines, gray whales travel up to 14,000 miles each year between their Arctic feeding grounds and warmer breeding waters. These journeys make them a favorite for whale watchers.

Sei Whale 

Length: 52 feet (16 meters).

Interesting fact: Very fast, with speeds up to 50 mph.

Sei whales are named after the Norwegian word for pollock i.e. “seje”. These sleek baleen whales inhabit oceans around the world, preferring temperate and sub-polar waters. While they share some similarities with Bryde’s whales, their slightly arched rostrum helps distinguish them.

Despite being heavily hunted in the past, Sei whales remain poorly understood. Their unpredictable distribution and migration patterns make them a rare sight, even for dedicated whale watchers. Though now protected, they are classified as Endangered due to significant population declines from whaling.

Humpback Whale

Length: 52 feet (16 meters).

Interesting fact: Can swim up to 5,000 miles to migrate for food and breeding.

Humpback whales are instantly recognizable by their namesake hump, dark dorsal coloring and lighter undersides. They are found in all major oceans and are known for their acrobatic displays, often breaching and slapping the water with their long flippers.

Their complex songs are thought to play a role in communication and mating. These whales also undertake impressive migrations, traveling thousands of miles between feeding and breeding grounds.

Bowhead Whale 

Length: 59 feet (18 meters).

Interesting fact: Bowhead whales live longer than 200 years.

The Bowhead whale is the largest whale in the Arctic. Their thick layers of blubber and ability to hold their breath for extended periods allow them to thrive in the frigid Arctic waters. These whales can even break through seven-inch-thick ice with their strong, arched heads.

Bowhead whales are deeply intertwined with the history and culture of Arctic peoples, who have relied on them for sustenance for centuries. Today, these whales face a changing Arctic environment, with threats from climate change adding to existing pressures of entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, and noise pollution.

Right Whale 

Length: 60 feet (18.3 meters).

Interesting fact: Can live up to 70 years old.

Right whales are the fourth largest whale species in the world. These gentle giants are divided into three distinct species: the North Atlantic Right whale, the North Pacific Right whale, and the Southern Right whale. They are easily identified by their distinctive “callosities” – rough white patches of skin on their heads. These callosities are caused by whale lice and are unique to each individual, like a fingerprint, helping scientists track them.

Preferring coastal waters to the open ocean, they primarily feed on tiny copepods and krill. With only a few hundred individuals remaining worldwide, Right whales face an uphill battle for survival. Threats like entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes pose significant challenges to their recovery.

Sperm Whale

Length: 67 feet (20.5 meters).

Interesting fact: They have the largest brain of any creature to have lived on Earth.

Sperm whales are not only one of the largest whale species but they also hold the record for having the largest brain of any animal on Earth. These deep-diving giants can hold their breath for incredibly long periods, plunging to depths of over 2,600 feet in search of their favorite prey – squid. Their unique square-shaped heads and prominent blowholes make them easily recognizable.

Sperm whales have a long and complex history with humans, famously featured in the classic novel Moby Dick, which depicted the dangers of 19th-century whaling. While commercial whaling has ceased, these whales still face threats, including entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with ships.

Fin Whale

Length: 90 feet (27.5 meters).

Interesting fact: The throat is like an accordion to help eat more than a ton of food a day.

Fin whales hold the title of second largest whale species on Earth, reaching an impressive 90 feet in length. These sleek whales, aptly nicknamed “Greyhounds of the Sea,” are found in colder waters around the globe. Their streamlined bodies and distinctive dorsal fin ridge make them easily recognizable as they navigate the vast ocean depths.

Fin whales are known for their low-frequency vocalizations, which can travel for hundreds of miles underwater. These sounds are thought to play a crucial role in communication, navigation, and mating.

Blue Whale 

Length: 98 feet (30 meters).

Interesting fact: They have the largest heart in the entire animal kingdom.

The blue whale holds the undisputed title of largest whale, and is also the largest creature to have ever existed on the planet. Despite their enormous bulk, Blue whales have a surprisingly slender and streamlined body shape. They are blue-gray in color with mottled patterns that vary between individuals, almost like a fingerprint.

Unfortunatley, Blue whales are a rare sight, as their populations remain low due to past overhunting. They tend to prefer offshore habitats, further reducing any chances of encounters. Scientists recognize at least five distinct subspecies of Blue whale, with the Antarctic blue whale being the largest of them all.

Ocean Insights: Hear From Our Experts

By Dr. Rabiah Ryklief

Principal Scientist and Lecturer of Marine Science, with a PhD in Zoology

Scientists have conducted the first-ever hearing test on live baleen whales. By capturing brainwave readings from two minke whales, they discovered these whales can hear ultrasonic sounds, much higher than previously thought. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of how human-generated noise impacts whales, and may even shed light on how they interact with predators like killer whales.

FAQs 

Why are beaked whales rarely seen?

Beaked whales are rarely seen because they are shy and spend a lot of time underwater. They are also very good at hiding and their blows are small and hard to see. This makes it difficult to study these marine mammals and tell the different types of beaked whales apart.

Do Dwarf Sperm whales ink?

The Dwarf Sperm whale has a special sac in their intestines that holds a dark, reddish-brown liquid. When they feel threatened, they can squirt out more than three gallons of this inky fluid to create a cloud in the water and confuse predators while they escape.

What is the largest toothed whale?

The sperm whale is the largest-toothed whale. They can grow to 67 feet (20.5 meters) and weigh around 41,000 kg (45 tons).