Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus)

Steypireyður, Baleine Bleue, Ballena Azul, Blåhval, Blauwal, Baleia-azul

The Blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived on our planet. The heart alone weighs 600kg and is about the same size as a Volkswagen beetle car and even a small child could crawl through the Aorta (the main artery of the heart). They feed mainly on krill, which is somewhat like a small shrimp or prawn and can eat up to 4000kg a day. They are also one of the loudest animals on the planet getting to levels of 188db compared to a 747 jet engine at 140db. Unfortunately they were almost hunted to extinction as about 360,000 were killed between 1900-1960 alone.

Occasionaly seen in Eyjafjörður/Akureyri in summer - best time to be on the look out is usually between mid June til mid July.