The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is a marine mammal belonging to the baleen whales (Mysticeti). source
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is a marine mammal belonging to the baleen whales (Mysticeti).
The blue whale At up to 29.9 metres (98 ft) in length and with a maximum recorded weight of 173 tonnes (191 short tons). source
The blue whale At up to 29.9 metres (98 ft) in length and with a maximum recorded weight of 173 tonnes (191 short tons).
The blue whale probably reaching over 181 tonnes (200 short tons), it is the largest animal known to have ever existed. source
The blue whale probably reaching over 181 tonnes (200 short tons), it is the largest animal known to have ever existed.
Long and slender, the blue whale's body can be various shades of bluish-grey dorsally and somewhat lighter underneath. source
Long and slender, the blue whale's body can be various shades of bluish-grey dorsally and somewhat lighter underneath.
Blue whales were abundant in nearly all the oceans on Earth until the beginning of the twentieth century. source
Blue whales were abundant in nearly all the oceans on Earth until the beginning of the twentieth century.
For over a century,Blue whales were hunted almost to extinction by whalers until protected by the international community in 1966. source
For over a century,Blue whales were hunted almost to extinction by whalers until protected by the international community in 1966.
A 2002 report estimated there were 5,000 to 12,000 blue whales worldwide, in at least five groups. source
A 2002 report estimated there were 5,000 to 12,000 blue whales worldwide, in at least five groups.
The IUCN estimates that there are probably between 10,000 and 25,000 blue whales worldwide today. source
The IUCN estimates that there are probably between 10,000 and 25,000 blue whales worldwide today.
Before whaling ( blue whale ), the largest population was in the Antarctic, numbering approximately 239,000 (range 202,000 to 311,000). source
Before whaling ( blue whale ), the largest population was in the Antarctic, numbering approximately 239,000 (range 202,000 to 311,000).
There remain only much smaller (around 2,000) concentrations of blue whale in each of the eastern North Pacific, Antarctic, and Indian Ocean groups. source
There remain only much smaller (around 2,000) concentrations of blue whale in each of the eastern North Pacific, Antarctic, and Indian Ocean groups.
There are two more groups of blue whale in the North Atlantic, and at least two in the Southern Hemisphere. source
There are two more groups of blue whale in the North Atlantic, and at least two in the Southern Hemisphere.
As of 2014, the Eastern North Pacific blue whale population had rebounded to nearly its pre-hunting population. source
As of 2014, the Eastern North Pacific blue whale population had rebounded to nearly its pre-hunting population.
The first published description of the blue whale comes from Robert Sibbald's Phalainologia Nova (1694). source
The first published description of the blue whale comes from Robert Sibbald's Phalainologia Nova (1694).
In September 1692, Sibbald found a blue whale that had stranded in the Firth of Forth. source
In September 1692, Sibbald found a blue whale that had stranded in the Firth of Forth.
A male of blue whale 24 m (78 ft) long – that had "black, horny plates" and "two large apertures approaching a pyramid in shape". source
A male of blue whale 24 m (78 ft) long – that had "black, horny plates" and "two large apertures approaching a pyramid in shape".
The blue whale has a long tapering body that appears stretched in comparison with the stockier build of other whales. source
The blue whale has a long tapering body that appears stretched in comparison with the stockier build of other whales.
