Photo: Fin Whales Tadoussac Gulf St Lawrence Quebec Canada

A large and graceful Fin Whale can be seen swimming alongside a Whale watching boat from Tadoussac, a town along the Route des Baleines on Highway 138 in Manicouagan in the shores of the famous St Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada.

Fin Whales, also known as Balaenoptera physalus, are the second largest animal on this earth after the Blue Whale, as it can grow up to an amazing 27 metres long. These whales are found in all major oceans throughout the world, just not in areas that are too close to the north and south poles, although they mostly like to live in temperate and cool waters.

Like most whales, unfortunately the Fin Whale is an endangered species, as they have been heavily hunted in the past for their meat. However, there are obstacles to the regeneration of their species as countries such as Iceland and Japan still hunt these animals commercially and Greenland also seeks these whales under the Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling provisions. They are also victims of being hit by boats and noise from human activity in the water - all of these factors hinders the survival of the species.

The Fin Whale is one of the fastest species of all whales, dolphins and porpoises, as it can reach and sustain speeds of about 37 kilometres per hour. This has given it the nickname 'Greyhound of the Deep'.

Fin Whales, Balaenoptera physalus, seen from a Whale watching boat from the town of Tadoussac, Route des Baleines, Highway 138, Manicouagan, St Lawrence River, Quebec, Canada.