Balaenopteridae

Balaenopteridae is a family of large whales known as 'rorquals,' which include species like blue, humpback, and fin whales. These whales are characterized by their long, slim bodies and pleated throats that expand when they feed, allowing them to gulp large amounts of water containing schools of fish or krill. They are among the largest animals on Earth, using baleen plates in their mouths to filter their food. Balaenopteridae whales are highly migratory, traveling vast distances between feeding and breeding grounds, and they play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems.