Minke whales have a body length of 7-10m and weigh 5-10 tonnes. They are the smallest baleen whale, apart from the pygmy right whale.
Minke whales are dark above and white below with a pointed head. They may have a white band on the flippers and the dorsal fin is high and curved.
Minke whales have a worldwide distribution, although they prefer cooler regions to tropical areas. They are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic Oceans. Minke whales are migratory, but it is not clear whether all segments of the population undertake seasonal movements.
They travel singly or can be found in groups of 2-4 individuals. Minke whales appear alone, in small groups, or whithin aggregations of seemingly unassociated animals.
In some places it is rare to see more than one. Minke whales are common and have a population of 500,000-1,000,000.
