Baleen Whale

This photo was taken by wikipedia user Whit Welles

The baleen whales, also called whalebone whales, form the Mysticeti, one of the two suborders of the Cetacea ( whales dolphins and porpoises). Baleen whales are usually larger than toothed whales, females being bigger than males.   This group includes the largest animal species, the blue whale.  The baleen whale has two blowholes, causing a V shaped blow.

Despite their enormous size they have the ability to jump fully above the surface. One whale that is known for their water feats is the humpback whale.  Baleen whales can grow to larger than 110 feet long, and can weigh up to 420,000 pounds.

Baleen whales have baleen, a straight, stiff material that hangs from the roof of their upper jaw. It is made of keratin, (the same substance that your fingernails and hair is made of). The inside of baleen have little hairy plates, that help filter krill, plankton, and small fish.