What type of whale is a minke?

What type of whale is a minke?

Minke whales are members of the baleen or “great” whale family and are the smallest of the rorquals. They are one of the most abundant rorqual in the world, and their population status is considered stable throughout almost their entire range (especially when compared to other species of large whales).

Which whale is a dolphin species?

orcas
Scientifically, all whales, dolphins and porpoises are classified as Cetacea. And within Cetacea are two suborders: baleen whales and toothed whales. Baleen whales include the really big ones, such as blue whales and humpbacks. Toothed whales include dolphins and orcas, or killer whales, as they’re often known.

Are dolphins and whales the same species?

It may sound confusing, but all dolphins are simply smaller types of whales. The whale order (Cetacea) is divided into several different families, one of them being Delphinidae (this includes all oceanic dolphin species).

What are minke whales known for?

Minke whales (pronounced mink-ee) are members of the baleen whale family, a group of large whales named for the unique plates of baleen that hang from their jaws and act as a strainer while they feed. Despite their large size, minke whales are actually the smallest members of the “great whale” family.

Is minke toothed or baleen?

Minke whales have between 240 and 360 baleen plates on each side of their mouths. Most of the length of the back, including dorsal fin and blowholes, appears at once when the whale surfaces to breathe. Minke whales typically live for 30–50 years; in some cases they may live for up to 60 years.

Is the minke whale a species of whale?

Despite its name, the common minke whale is, in fact, not so common. Originally believed to have been one species, scientists now recognise at least two different species and sub-species of these little whales. Did you know hundreds of minke whales are being hunted right now by whalers in Norway.

Which is the smallest baleen whale in North America?

The latest stock assessment reports for U.S. minke whale stocks include population estimates for each minke whale stock in U.S. waters. The common minke whale is the smallest baleen whale in North American waters.

How many baleen plates does a minke whale have?

Minke whales have between 240 and 360 baleen plates on each side of their mouths. Most of the length of the back, including dorsal fin and blowholes, appears at once when the whale surfaces to breathe.

Who are the Predators of the Antarctic minke whale?

Antarctic minke whales only have one natural predator – the orca, but their greatest threats come from us humans. The main threats… Hunting – Until 2019, Japanese whalers killed hundreds of these whales in the Antarctic every year under the pretence of scientific research.