Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus)

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The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived on our planet! Their heart alone weighs 600 kg. and is about the same size as a Volkswagen beetle car and even a small child could crawl through the aorta (main artery of the heart). They feed mainly on krill, which is somewhat like a small shrimp or prawn and can eat up to 4000kg a day. They are also one of the loudest animals on the planet getting to levels of 188db compared to a 747 jet engine at 140db. Unfortunately they were almost hunted to extinction as about 360,000 were killed between 1900-1960 alone. 

Length: 25-30 meters
Weight: 150-200 tons
Life expectancy: 90 years
Est. population around Iceland: 700-1000
Social behaviour: Mainly solitary but come together in feeding and mating grounds
Diet: Krill, small schooling fish
Suborder: Mysticeti – Baleen Whale
Family: Balaenopteridae – Rorqual
IUCN Listing: Endangered
Major Threats: Climate change, chemical and noise pollution, ship strikes
Other Names: Steypireyður, Baleine Bleue, Ballena Azul, Blåhval, Blauwal, Baleia-azul