MURCIA – The second largest animal in the world has been spotted off the coast of Spain. Fin whales make their annual migration from the Mediterranean between spring and summer. This species can be seen with the naked eye more and more often, especially off the coast of Murcia.
The fin whale, with its official Latin nameBalaenoptera physalus, is a cetacean and is known as the second largest animal in the world. In size, this animal is surpassed only by the blue whale. Fin whales can grow up to 27 metres in length.
Spotted off the coast of Cabo de Palos
Cabo de Palos in Murcia has been known in recent years as a place where fin whales are increasingly spotted. Such was the case on Monday when people on social media accounts shared images of two fin whales. This Twitter account shows one of them swimming at considerable speed next to a boat.
Cabo de Palos ayer 😍😍@maruizlv pic.twitter.com/VN7zS6QB4m
— SOS Mar Menor (@sosmarmenorofi) June 29, 2021
Seen more and more off the coast of Murcia
These animal species often swim along the coast because these are nutrient-rich places. They then rush into a school of fish or squid and plankton. Fin whales in Europe are mainly found in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Bay of Biscay.
They often migrate south and to the Atlantic Ocean around this time. They are approaching the coastal area of Cabo de Palos from the Mediterranean before moving south towards the Strait of Gibraltar.
A wildlife expert confirmed to Spanish news channel Cadena Ser that fin whales can often be found in the waters of the Gulf of Leon (France), the Spanish coastlines (especially Murcia) and the Ligurian Sea between spring and summer. These animals are not only spotted from boats, it has happened more than once that people could see these animals from the beach. An estimated 60,000 to 90,000 individuals live in the Mediterranean.
