Common Name
Blue Whale
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Balaenopteridae
Species Name
Balaenoptera musculus
Status
U.S ESA - Endangered; IUCN - Endangered as B. m. intermedia, Data Deficient as B. m. brevicauda; Endangered as B. musculus except Vulnerable in North Atlantic and Lower Risk (cd) in North Pacific
States
California
Distribution
Worldwide: arctic to tropical waters
Notes
One of the fastest whales; can travel at 30 mph if pursued. Feeds almost exclusively on krill. Usually seen alone or in small groups. Often found on the edge of continental shelves but also in deep water and in shallow inshore water.