Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

EN Filter Feeder Oceans
Up to 200 tons
Weight
70–90 yrs
Lifespan
39 km/h
Top Speed
Oceans worldwide
Found In

With a lifespan of up to 70–90 years, the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is among the longest-lived filter feeder species. It inhabits oceans habitats in Oceans worldwide.

Size, Speed & Lifespan

Metric Blue Whale Filter Feeder Species Median Difference
Weight 200 tons 100.8 tons ↑ 99%
Height 33.5 cm
Top Speed 39 km/h 54.5 km/h ↓ 28%
Avg Speed 40 km/h
Lifespan 80 yrs 82.5 yrs ↓ 3%
Weight (tons)200avg 100.8Speed (km/h)39avg 54.5Lifespan (yrs)80avg 82.5

Endemic to Oceans worldwide

Habitat: Oceans
Found In: Oceans worldwide
Coloration: Blue-grey

Behavior

Natural Predators

Social Structure

Recorded as Solitary.

Reproduction & Lifespan

Gestation Period: 10–12 months
Offspring per Birth: 1 (rarely 2)
Lifespan: 70–90 years

An Endangered Species

EN Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List — one of 31 species in this database with the same status.

Weight Rank Among Endangered Species

Ranked #1 of 31 by typical adult weight.

# Species Weight Status
1 Blue Whale Up to 200 tons EN
2 Asian Elephant 2000–5000 kg EN
3 Whale Shark Up to 1500 kg EN
4 Grevy's Zebra 350–450 kg EN
5 Baird's Tapir 150–400 kg EN
6 Okapi 200–350 kg EN

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