Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus): The most distinctive feature of the fin whale is its coloration. The dorsal and lateral body is black or dark gray-brown, gradually turning white towards the ventral area. However the color on the head is asymmetrical. The right side of the face is light gray and the jaw is white, like the rest of the coloration of the throat and belly. The left half of the face is darker, with the jaw and part of the throat dark gray. It presents a series of transverse discolorations on the back behind the head, the most apparent in the shape of an inverted V and more marked on the right side.

Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). More info…

Balaenoptera borealis, also known as Bryde’s whale, is a species of whale found in warm, tropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. It was named after Johan Bryde, the first whaler in South Africa.

Bryde’s whales have a slender, elongated body with a rounded head and a high, triangular dorsal fin. They can reach a length of up to 14 metres and weigh up to 25 tonnes. They feed mainly on krill, copepods and small fish, and are known for their ability to chase their prey at high speed.

Although considered a relatively common whale species, the Bryde’s whale faces several threats, including commercial whaling, pollution, climate change and incidental capture in fishing nets. Commercial hunting of Bryde’s whales has been significantly reduced since the International Whaling Commission (IWC) imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986, but hunting is still reported in some countries. In addition, the Bryde’s whale is classified as “data deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to lack of information on abundance and population status.