Balaenoptera acutorostrata

LENGTH 7–10 m / 23–33 ft

DORSAL FIN Curved, far back on body

APPEARANCE Dark grey to black colouration; white band on topside of pectoral fins; pointed head with prominent noseridge.

BEHAVIOUR Usually solitary; blows rarely visible; surfaces 1–2 times between dives; elusive

Photos by A. Phillips, C. McMillan, J. Towers, J. Ford. Illustrations by A. Denbigh, not to scale.