The blue whale is the largest known animal to ever exist on Earth and is larger than even the biggest dinosaurs ever.
Excessive hunting and habitat loss have made it currently endangered. If you need to learn more about this giant, here are 10 lesser-known facts:
Blue whales' tongues can weigh as much as an elephant, about 2.7 tonnes and their hearts are the size of a small car and weigh around 181 kilograms
Despite their size, blue whales primarily feed on tiny shrimp-like animals called krill, consuming up to 4 tonnes daily.
These whales can produce sounds that are louder than a jet engine, up to 188 decibels, making them the loudest animals on Earth.
Blue whales can swim at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts during feeding or when interacting with others.
The blowholes of blue whales can spray water up to 9 meters into the air, creating impressive geysers visible from afar.
Blue whales use their advanced hearing and sonar capabilities to navigate the vast, often dark, depths of the ocean.
They can hold their breath for up to 50 minutes while diving to depths of up to 500 meters in search of food.
Blue whales can communicate with each other over hundreds of miles, using low-frequency sounds to stay in touch.
A baby blue whale, known as a calf, can gain around 90 kilograms every day during its first year, growing at an astounding rate.
Orcas (Killer whales) are the only known natural predators of blue whales and have been reported to attack calves in groups.