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The Finback Whale or Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) is the second largest whale in the
world. Among the fastest of the great whales, it can reach a speed of 23 mph (37 km per hour).
It is long and sleek with a v-shaped head that is flat on top. A single ridge extends from the
blowhole to the tip of the upper jaw. There are 50 to 100 grooves on the underside of the body
extending from under the lower jaw to its navel. Its most unusual characteristic is a white or
creamy yellow color on the right side of the lower jaw and mottled black on the left. This
species has a prominent, slightly curved dorsal fin located far back on its body. The flippers are
small and tapered and its fluke (tail lobe) is wide at the base and pointed at the tips with a notch
in the center.
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