fin whale

Thân thiện

A fin whale swims near the surface of the ocean.

Definition

Noun: 1. A very large baleen whale (Balaenoptera physalus), characterized by a streamlined body, a prominent dorsal fin, and distinctive asymmetrical coloring on its lower jaw. It is the second-largest animal species on Earth.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The fin whale is known for its incredible speed and long, slender body.
  • Scientists identified the species as a fin whale based on its size and the unique chevron pattern behind its head.
  • A pod of fin whales was spotted feeding off the coast.

Advanced Usage

• "The razorback": An alternative common name for the fin whale, referring to its sharp dorsal fin and streamlined shape.
  • Old whalers often called the fin whale the "razorback."

Variants and Related Words

• Finback (n): Another common name for the fin whale.
  • The finback is a frequent visitor to these rich feeding grounds.
• Rorqual (n): The family of baleen whales to which the fin whale belongs, characterized by pleated throat grooves.
  • The blue whale and the fin whale are both types of rorqual.

Synonyms

• Finback whale: A direct synonym.
• Common rorqual: Another name used in some scientific and historical contexts.

Related Terms and Phrases

• Baleen whale: The broader category of whales that use baleen plates to filter food, as opposed to toothed whales.
  • Like other baleen whales, the fin whale feeds on small fish and krill.
• Throat grooves / ventral pleats: The long furrows along the underside of the whale that expand to take in large volumes of water during feeding.
  • The fin whale's throat grooves allow its mouth to expand like an accordion.

Học thuật

Noun

1. large flat-headed whalebone whale having deep furrows along the throat; of Atlantic and Pacific

Từ đồng nghĩa

• finback
• finback whale
• common rorqual
• Balaenoptera physalus