Common minke whale (North Atlantic)

How it lives

Common minke whales feed opportunistically, lunging sideways into schools of fish and taking whatever prey is plentiful locally. They are usually seen alone or in twos and threes, though loose feeding groups can be larger, and some come close to boats. Females mature at about 3 to 8 years, carry a calf for 10 to 11 months and nurse it for 4 to 6 months.

Where it goes

Most make seasonal movements between northern summer feeding grounds and warmer waters further south in winter. Some stay at high latitudes through the winter. Where they feed in summer depends on where prey gathers.

We only draw a journey on the map when scientists have tracked it or clearly documented it. For this animal we have not found one yet.

Populations

North Atlantic minkes (B. a. acutorostrata) have a larger white patch on the flipper; North Pacific minkes (B. a. scammoni) have a smaller one. Southern Hemisphere dwarf minkes are smaller, about 6.5-7.2 m against about 8-8.8 m for northern forms. The Antarctic minke is a separate species.