Balaenoptera

/ˌbæl.iˈnɒp.tər.ə/ noun

Definition

A genus of baleen whales that includes the blue whale, fin whale, and sei whale, characterized by long bodies and throat grooves.

Etymology

From Latin 'balaena' (whale) and Greek 'ptera' (wings or fins). The name refers to the wing-like pectoral fins of these large whales.

Kelly Says

The blue whale in the genus Balaenoptera is the largest animal to ever exist on Earth—bigger than any dinosaur!—and it eats millions of tiny krill by filtering them through baleen plates.

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