Mink Whales
Antarctic Minke whales, Baleneptera Acutorostrata, are classified as marine mammals. Scientists have estimated that there are around
800,000 Mink whales in the world. Minke whales are mammals that people hunt today for oil, petrol and bones.
800,000 Mink whales in the world. Minke whales are mammals that people hunt today for oil, petrol and bones.
Whales are dark black and grey, and have have white under sides. The whales have smoothed and shiny skin, and can grow to be about 10m long and weigh 9,200kg.They don’t have teeth they actually have baleen plates which look like cream fur.
Minke whales eat crustaceans, plankton and eels but their main food source is krill. Minke whales mostly eat small things. Minke whales are prey for after small toothed whale such as orcas.
Minke whales can swim at speed of 25km per hour and can swim for a very long time. But when Minke whales are in danger they would swim up to 33km. when Minke whales are diving they can dive for up to 20 – 25 minutes but when they are on shallow water dive for 12 minutes. Minke whales could change location fast so that they can escape predators.
Minke whales live in sub-Antarctic oceans near the equator. They live in the northern side of Antarctica in the warm waters. They spend their lives in the ocean. Minke whales can also live for 20 years.
Minke whales are born near shallow and warm waters. The breeding of Minke whales occurs mostly in late winter to early spring. The baby Minke whales swims close to shore so that they can breathe.
When Minke whales are talking they grunt and rumble to communicate. Minke whales are loud enough to give even people above the surface headache
Minke whales should not be hunted because they are a precious animal to Antarctica. Since people have started hunting Minke whales the numbers of them are dropping lower and lower. If it continues they will become extinct.