Otherwise known as the ‘rorquals’, there are 8 species in this family, although the Bryde’s whale may soon be split into more than 1 species. 

All members of the family reach lengths of over 7m with a dorsal fin of varying shape and size.

They are lunge-feeders and have long pleats extending from the snout to the navel starting massive dilatation of the throat when they take in huge quantities of water before sifting out their food.