The minke whale is the smallest of the baleen whales measuring on average 25 to 30 feet in length and weighing 6 to 7.5 tons. Minke whales have a characteristic white band on each flipper, contrasting with its very dark gray top color. They have 2 blowholes, like all baleen whales.

Minke whales are seasonal feeders and carnivores. They sieve through the ocean water with their baleen filtering out small polar plankton, krill, and small fish, even chasing schools of sardines, anchovies, cod, herring, and capelin. Minke whales have the same diet as blue whales.

 
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