The Blue Whale

The Blue Whale

Estimated Population: 10,000- 25,000

Species Description

• The blue whale is the largest known animal on this planet and can weigh up to 200 tons, which is approximately 33 elephants, and their heart is about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. The blue whale is not only the largest animal on the planet, it is also the loudest. Its low frequency whistle can be heard from hundreds of miles away. The blue whale can come in many shades of blue grey, with a lighter colored underbelly. Their diet consists exclusively of krill and can eat up to 4 tons of krill per day. There is only one place on this earth where an animal of this size can thrive, and that is the ocean, blue whales can be found all across the globe as they live in every ocean around the world. 

Blue Whale's Role in the Ecosystem

• Blue whales and whales in general play a key role in their ecosystems, because they are at the top of their food chain. Without out whales the krill population would be out of control. One blue whale can eat up to 4 tons of krill per day, so imagine what the population would look like if whales did not exist.
• Blue whales also help growing economies, since whale watching is a large tourist attraction in many places.

What is happening to the Blue Whale?

• Up until 1966 the blue whale was hunted almost to extinction, but thankfully international regulations were put in place and their population began to rise again. Today whaling is no longer a threat to the blue whale, and it is the climate change that is impacting them most. Climate change is having an impact on krill which is the major prey of the blue whale. 

What the WWF is doing

• Currently the WWF is tracking blue whales migration and feeding patterns in order to be able to label protected areas. This also helps the WWF communicate with fishing boats and keep them away from blue whales. If you would like to help out blue whales the most helpful thing you can do is donate to the WWF, every dollar helps.
• www.worldwildlife.org/Donate