AnAge entry for Balaenoptera physalus

Classification (HAGRID: 02282)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Cetacea (Taxon entry)
                Family: Balaenopteridae
                    Genus: Balaenoptera
Species
Balaenoptera physalus
Common name
Fin whale
Synonyms
Balaena physalus

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Maximum longevity
114 years (wild)
Source
ref. 434
Sample size
Medium
Data quality
Acceptable
Observations

As in other whales, these animals attain sexual maturity before they are fully grown. It is estimated that they attain physical maturity in about 25-30 years. Although there are no detailed studies, some estimates suggest these animals may live over 100 years in the wild with one study estimating that some individuals may live up to 114 years [0434].

Life history traits (averages)

Female sexual maturity
2,701 days
Male sexual maturity
2,864 days
Gestation
342 days
Weaning
183 days
Litter size
1 (viviparous)
Litters per year
0.4
Inter-litter interval
608 days
Weight at birth
1,800,000 g
Weight at weaning
Adult weight
70,000,000 g
Postnatal growth rate

Metabolism

No information on metabolism is available.

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 180527
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 9770
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Images
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Internet
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