At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Increasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The fin whale is the second-largest animal on Earth after the blue whale, a fast-swimming baleen whale. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
It feeds on small fish and krill, lunging through prey swarms.
Range & habitat
Found in oceans worldwide, mainly in deep offshore waters.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Past commercial whaling (now recovering)
- Ship strikes
- Entanglement and noise
Why it matters
A giant of the open ocean recovering from industrial whaling, the fin whale is both a conservation success in progress and still at risk from shipping.
Sources
Sources for Fin Whale
- IUCN Red List — look up Fin Whale (authoritative status)
- NOAA Fisheries
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the fin whale?
It is the second-largest animal alive, after the blue whale, reaching around 20-plus metres — and is known for its speed, earning it the nickname 'greyhound of the sea'.
Why is the fin whale Vulnerable?
Industrial whaling greatly reduced its numbers; though now recovering, it still faces ship strikes, entanglement, and ocean noise. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: