Common name: Blue Whale.

Scientific name: Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Family: Balaenopteridae

Distribution and Habitat: Its presence in the region is rare. It occurs in all seas, whether they are coastal or oceanic waters.

Description: Extremely robust whale with a very elongated body. The dorsal fin is very small and is located on the posterior part of the body, close to the tail peduncle. The colouration is bluish grey and its large head is U-shaped. When this whale surfaces, it shows the upper part of its head and its blowhole. Its blow makes a piercing sound and reaches very high (up to 10 m in height). The adults reach 25 m in length and may weigh 12.0000 Kg.

Conservation statute and Threats: This world wide endangered species is not evaluated in the region. The population of the North Atlantic is estimated to be a few hundred.

Observations: There is no confirmed recording of this species in the region but, given its worldwide spreading and possible sightings, it was included in the list of mammals that can be found in the archipelago waters.