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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 small 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 |