The scientific name of the fin whale is Balaenoptera physalus. It belongs to the order Cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Within the order, the fin whale falls under the family Balaenopteridae.
Individual animals do not adapt.
Adaptation happens over generations within a species in a certain environment.
Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) can dive as deep as 470 m (1540 ft).
Fin whales are usually born in the late fall or early winter (November-December in the Northern Hemisphere, May in the Southern Hemisphere) at a length of 19.5-21 ft. They are weaned when they are 6-8 months old at a length of 36-39 ft. They reach sexual maturity when they are 8-10 years old at a length of anywhere between 54 and 65 feet (depending on region), and reach physical maturity when they are about 25 years old at a length of 62 to 72 ft. Females will calf every two to three years. They can live over 100 years.
Based on growth layers in the ear plugs, it is estimated fin whales can live to 80-95 years of age. One fin whale that stranded in Denmark in 2010 was estimated to be 135-140 years old, based on the acid in its eye.
Adult population has a massive variations. They can weigh from 30 tons to 80 tons. Newborns weigh at 2 tons.
Calves are weaned off their mother's milk after 8-12 months. The calf will likely stay with the mother for protection for some time longer. By age 3 or 4 the calf is sexually mature and is likely to be independent of its mother.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Balaenopteridae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Species: Balaenoptera physalus
Blue whales are neither nocturnal nor diurnal. These mammals take 30-minute cat naps throughout the day and cannot sleep longer than this time frame.