Minke Whale
Minke Whale
Scientific Name: ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata )
The Minke Whale is the most common and smallest baleen whale found in the UK. Baleen whales have specialised teeth called baleen plates which allow them to filter feed; small crustaceans like krill become stuck on the plates and are later digested, whilst water is filtered out. Minke’s are dark grey with a white underbelly and a very small dorsal fin in comparison to their body size. These stunning whales are most likely to be seen surfacing from headlands like Whitburn, Roker Pier and Hendon cliffs. If you are lucky to see a breaching minke, you will see one of the minke’s most distinct characteristics which is a white chevron found on their upper flippers, this has led to them being named ‘Minke Mittens'.
KEY FACTS
CONSERVATION STATUS | Protected
SIZE | Around 8-9m
DIET | Small plankton (krill), small fish including sand eel and sprat
SPOT THEM | All year round
European Otter
The Eurasian otter can be found in standing and running waters near the coast and further upstream. They…
Read more
Common Seal
The Common Seal also known as the Harbour Seal is the second and smaller seal species found in…
Read more