Often overshadowed by their larger cousins, the Minke whale is the unsung acrobat of the polar seas. They are the friendly scouts and often the first to approach our Zodiacs. They appear as a sudden, sleek flash of dark gray breaking the icy surface.

While they may be the smallest of the baleen whales, their agility and inquisitive nature make an encounter with a Minke one of the most intimate and memorable moments of any polar expedition. Learn more about this fascinating mammal and test your knowledge with our quick quiz.

Minke Whales At a Glance

Scientific Name Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Population Estimated at 1,000,000 globally
Regions They exist in both hemispheres. The Common Minke is found in the Northern Hemisphere and the Antarctic Minke is in the Southern Hemisphere.
Destinations Jan Mayen, Iceland, Canada, Svalbard, Greenland, Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, Portugal, England,  Scotland, and Antarctica.
Average Length Adult: Males: ~7–7.5 m (23–25 ft), Females: ~7.5–8.5 m (25–28 ft); Newborn: ~240–270 cm (8–9 ft)
Average Weight Adult: Males: ~7,000–9,000 kg (15,400–19,800 lbs), Females: ~8,000–10,000 kg (17,600–22,000 lbs); Newborn: ~350 kg (770 lbs)
Diet Habits Primarily fish (sardines, anchovies, cod, herring, and capelin), krill or other crustaceans
Minke whale in Neko Harbour.
Minke whale in Curtis Bay.
Minke Whale observing zodiac passengers.

Did You Know

Believe it or not, the Minke is also called “Stinky Minke”.  They are known for their bad breath which is a function of their diet and feeding habits. When feeding, they gulp lots of water and small fish like krill. These fish can get trapped in the baleen plates and decay, which causes the smell.

Field Notes: Behavior & Biology

How big is a Minke whale?
The minke whale, the smallest whale among the rorqual species, typically measures between 7-10 meters (23–33 feet) in length. Males are slightly smaller than females, and newborn calves are around 2.5 meters (8–9 feet) long.
What do the whales look like?
In addition to the significantly smaller size, the common minke whale features a distinct white band on each flipper, which contrasts with their deep grey dorsal color. They possess a uniquely triangular, narrow, and pointed snout, earning them the nicknames “sharp-headed finner” and “little piked whale”. However, the Antarctic Minke does not have the white flipper bands.
What do they like to eat?
The minke whale’s diet mainly consists of larger fish, such as herring, when these are available, but is also supplemented by krill. Its short baleen plates help filter this prey from seawater during feeding dives. When food is plentiful, they can be seen in pods of up to 100 animals.
Where do they live?
From the Arctic to Antarctica, the Minke whale’s habitat spans all the world’s oceans. It is found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, including waters around Iceland, Norway, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, and Scotland.
How does the Minke whale size compare to other whale species?
Considered the smallest of the rorqual whales, the minke whale is significantly smaller than its whale relatives:

  • Blue whales: Up to 26 meters (85 ft.)
  • Fin whale: Up to 18–22 meters (59–72 ft)
  • Humpback whale: Up to 11–15 meters (35–50 ft)
  • Minke whale: 7–10 meters (23–33 ft)
Do they have any predators?
Killer whales are the primary natural predators of minke whales, particularly targeting juveniles. They are also targets of commercial whaling, accidental capture in fishing gear, and pollution.
Is the Minke whale an endangered species?
The common minke whale is not considered endangered and is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN. However, the species remains threatened by whaling, which continues in the North Atlantic and Antarctic, with an annual catch of 500-1,000 animals by countries such as Norway, Japan, and Iceland.

Challenge: Are you a Minke Master?

1. Why are they nicknamed "Stinky Minkes"?
2. How big is a Minke Whale?
3. What is "Spy-Hopping"?
4. What is the Minke Whale's favorite snack?
5. How would you describe a Minke's swimming style?
6. Are Minke Whales currently endangered?

What do you call a Minke?

English Minke Whale
Danish Vågehval
Chinese 小须鲸
Swedish Vikval
Finnish Pikkuvalas
Norwegian Vågehval
Polish Płetwal karłowaty
Japanese ミンククジラ
Spanish Ballena minke
French Petit rorqual

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