Minke whales are the second-smallest baleen whales. They are identifiable by a narrow, pointy snout, and most seen in North American waters have a white stripe on the back of each flipper. Minkes are relatively common in coastal waters, where they feed on marine crustaceans and fish. They may also become the prey of killer whales. During spring and summer minkes generally migrate north through coastal waters. In fall and winter they go south, taking an offshore route. They tend to occur in small groups of two or three. Mature females can calve every year, after a gestation of about 10 months. Calves are born at any time of the year, but mostly in January and June. Newborns are less than 3 m long, nurse for 4 or 5 months, and take at least 6-7 years to mature.

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Mammal Species of the World