Common name: Minke Whale.

Scientific name: Balaenoptera acutorostrata (Lacépède, 1804)

Family: Balaenopteridae

Distribution and Habitat: Its presence in the region is rare. It occurs in oceanic and coastal waters and it may get into estuaries and bays.

Description: Its body is very elongated and its head is very sharp pointed. The flippers have a white stripe. The colouration of the body is bluish grey, dark in the dorsal region and light in the ventral region. When it surfaces it is possible to see the blowhole and the dorsal fin. When it dives it does not show the its tail fluke and its blow is low. It may reach 9 m in length and weighs approx. 8000 Kg.

Conservation statute and Threats: Of little concern.

Observations: This species distribution in the North Atlantic is not well documented. In Madeira sightings have occured during the summer months, June to August.