Balaenoptera acutorostrata (Minke Whale)
Minke whales are frequently seen in coastal and in-shore waters around the Hebrides from April to October. The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust has reported shown decline in sightings of minke whale in the Hebrides during recent years, which may be related to prey distribution and availability.
Additional Information
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit
EC CITES Annex A
Bern Convention Appendix 2 & 3
EU Habitats Directive Annex 4
Scottish Biodiversity List of species of principal importance for biodiversity conservation
The Minke is a medium sized whale, sleek in shape, with a very pointed head. It is dark grey to black in colour with a white underside and has white patches behind the head and a bright white band on the outer part of the flippers. Adults reach lengths of 6.75-10 m long and 5 -10 tonnes in weight. The new born calf is ca 2.5 m long and weighs ca 350 kg. There are 30-70 throat grooves that always end before the naval (umbilicus). The dorsal fin is sickle-shaped, and about two-thirds of the way back from the tip of the animal's snout. The tail flukes are a quarter of the animal's length in width, and are not shown when diving. There are 230-360 baleen plates, 12 -20 cm long, in each half of the upper jaw, which are yellowish-white at the front to grey-brown at the rear.
Identifying features
Dark grey-black back with a curved dorsal fins and a white band on the outer part of the flippers.
30-70 throat grooves present, ending before the naval.
A double blow hole and short baleen plates present.
Very pointed head.
Medium size; up to 10 m long.
The blow is very weak and can been seen at the same time as the dorsal fin appears. Spyhopping and breaching are common for this species, which forms small groups of up to 3 individuals. The Minke can remain submerged for up to 20 minutes.
This whale could be confused at a distance with the Sei whale and the Bryde's whale as they are relatively the same size, however the weak blow of the Minke whale and dorsal fin appearing at the same time as the blow is characteristic. At close range the white bands on the Minke's flippers are diagnostic.