Whale Species Index
- Whale Species Overview
There are four distinct species of whales that scientists have come up with to identify them. While there are plenty of subgroups and breakdowns within them, this gives us a basic framework for the process.
- Blue Whale
The Blue Whale belongs to the baleen category. Blue Whales are very large whales that can measure up to 108 feet and weight about 190 tons.
- Gray Whale
The Gray Whale is one that people seem to be able to identify when they are looking into the ocean. They have some characteristics that make them quite familiar in various ways.
- Fin Whale
The fin whale is the second largest animal in the world, and that is no small accomplishment. You have likely heard them called the razorback which his a common nickname.
- Humpback Whale
The Humpback Whale is one of the most recognized of them all due to the hump over the dorsal fin.
- Minke Whale
The smallest of the baleen category is the Minke Whale. They aren’t likely to be more than 30 feet long or to weigh more than 7 tons.
- Narwhal Whale
One type of toothed whale is the Narwhal Whale. It fits in about the mid range when it comes to sizes of whales.
- Pilot Whale
Pilot Whales are dark black in color most of the time. Some of them are a dark gray. There are two species of the Pilot whale, but it is often very hard to tell them apart.
- Right Whale
There is no denying the sheer size of the Right Whale. They can weigh up to 100 tons as well as be up to 60 feet long.
- Sperm Whale
The Sperm Whale is the largest of all toothed whales, and many people immediately think of the story of Moby Dick when they see one.
- Beluga Whale
The Beluga Whale offers a whitish color and you will notice it has a type of formation to the head that is sticking out somewhat.
- Bowhead Whale
Today the bowhead whale is also called with several other names including Greenland right whale, Arctic whale, polar whale, steeple-top and Russian whale.