

Antarctic blue whale, which is the largest specimen, and inhabit in the Antarctic Ocean.ī.m Brevicauda. Northern blue whale, which includes the populations of the Atlantic and North Pacific.ī.m Musculus Burmeister.

The Blue Whale´s evolution has changed over the years, and it will go on, so we cannot lose sight of it.ī.m Musculus Linnaeus. These denominations are not used anymore.
#Are blue whales predators series#
However many people think it was a bit ironic and double meaning to denominate it this way, because it was formerly called with another series of name like rorcual of Sibbald in honor to Sir Rober Sibbald, great blue whale and great rorcual of the north. The scientist Linnaeus was the one who gave this name to the blue whale. The name musculus of the blue whale, comes from the Latin and means muscular. If this is confirmed, another subspecies of them should be reconsidered. There are cases where it has been documented, that this whale is more related to the gray whale, and other individuals of this species, than to the white whale. However, there are specialist who think, that blue whales belong to a separated genera. In this sense, the blue whales are usually classified, as one of the 8 species of fin whales that are already included in the genus balaenoptera. Most specialist agree, that these creatures, as well as beluga whales, belong to the family of the balaenidae, so they call them fin whales. There are different opinions about the taxonomy of the Blue Whales. This is due to its size and the big amounts of food she eats every day. Its tongue can weigh as much as an elephant, and its heart is heavier than a common car. This majestic animal can reach up to 180 tons in weight. The blue whales have long fins, of an average height between 10 to 13 inches which help them move at a high speed, in spite of being so large. The female can reach up to 27 meters in length, while males can reach between 20 to 24 meters although there are individuals of up to 30 meters in length. These specimens have a variable size, which depends on the sex, age and type, among other aspects. Their bones are quite big, due to their size and help them support their anatomy.īlue Whales have a fin, which helps them move within the water.īut let´s start learning more about this wonderful creature…., They can store up to 5000 liters of water in their lungs.They can stay underwater, for periods of time that vary between 10 and 20 minutes emerging then to the surface in order to breathe.However their average speed is around 22 km / h, or even lower when they are looking for food. Despite their large size, blue whales can reach speeds of up to 50km / h when they are threatened.They can store about 90 tons of water in their jaw as well as the same amount of food,.They have a large tongue, of an estimated weigh of 7 tons.


They have a broad, flat head that does not match their stylized body.įollowing, we list others interesting characteristics of the Blue whales. Their belly has yellowish shades, due to the large amounts of microorganisms that adhere to them. Under the water the blue whale presents an intense color, but when they emerge to the surface their color changes to bluish gray.
