Endangered Species Guide : Mammals : Animal Planet

Endangered Mammals

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BLUE WHALE (Balaenoptera musculus)

The largest animal on the planet, the blue whale can reach a length of more than 100 feet. Despite their size, they are remarkably skilled divers, rapidly plunging several hundred feet below the surface using their back muscles to propel them. When they emerge from the dive, they let out a torrent of water, air and mucus from their blowhole. They are found in most of the world's oceans, and are threatened by noise and other environmental pollution throughout much of their range.

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IUCN Status: Endangered
USFWS Status: Endangered
Major Threats: Noise and other environmental pollution
Habitat: Open ocean
Location: World's oceans
Diet: Mainly krill

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