Reproduction:

Fin whales reach full physical maturity at 25-30 years, although females reach sexual maturity and begin reproducing from 3-11 years of age. Typically, females reproduce every 2-3 years, and give birth most commonly to a single calf. After a gestation period of 12 months, a newly-born calf can measure up to 6.5 metres and can weigh around 2 tonnes (1,800 Kg)! As far as we know, fin whales can live up to 94 years with an average life of 90 years.

Range/Distribution:

These large marine mammals can be found in oceans world-wide, ranging from tropical to arctic regions. However, the highest density of fin whales occurs in more temperate/cooler waters, and they also seem to prefer deeper waters to shallow areas. Migration patterns of the whales are not well understood – especially on the Pacific coast of North America. Some whales have been documented residing year-round in the Gulf of California, while others migrate from Northern/Arctic regions for feeding during the summer months, to more southerly latitudes during the fall and winter.

FIN WHALE SOUND FILE TO BE ADDED