Cetaceans are aquatic mammals found in all oceans. In France, we can observe some of them in their natural environment. What are these species that live off the French coast?
Their rounded proboscis and caudal fins can be seen protruding above the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel and the Mediterranean. Several species of cetaceans honor us with a visit every year. Here is a non-exhaustive list of cetaceans that can be seen from mainland France.
The whale
The fin whale is considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. With an average size of 20 meters, it is the second largest living mammal on Earth (after the blue whale). Whales live in temperate and cold waters. They can travel up to 300 km per day. In the northwest Mediterranean, their population is estimated at 1,700. Worldwide, there are more than 100,000.
The sperm whale
The sperm whale is easily recognizable by its head which can represent a third of the length of its body. They are gregarious animals that live on average 70 years. They like open waters that exceed 1,000 meters in depth, such as the Mediterranean. Generally speaking, they like equatorial and tropical waters. Please note that sperm whales are not easy to observe in France. Some males have already been seen in Italy at the end of summer, near Liguria.
The pilot whale
The term pilot whale is given to whales of the tropical pilot whale species whose groups (up to hundreds of individuals) are supposedly piloted by a leader. They can be seen in the wake of ships. These mammals belong to the delphinidae family and measure up to 5 meters long. The pilot whale lives in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Its favored habitat is between the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera, in the Canary Islands.
The minke whale
Also called Minke whale, the minke whale is the smallest species of Balenopteridae. It measures on average 8 meters long and weighs between 6 and 8 tonnes. This cetacean lives in all seas, including the Mediterranean on the western side. It lives between 20 and 30 years and feeds on schools of fish (herring, capelin, sandeels, etc.). The minke whale is recognizable by its dark gray back and its rather light gray sides.
Cuvier’s whale
Although Cuvier’s whale is one of the most widespread species in the world (around 100,000 individuals), it is difficult to observe. Absent from the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, it appreciates tropical and temperate waters. It is omnipresent in the Mediterranean, mainly in the high seas. Cuvier’s whale is capable of staying underwater for hours to hunt. The latter feeds on cephalopods and other crustaceans.
The blue whale
Also called the blue whale, the blue whale is one of the best-known mammals in the world. It measures approximately 25 meters long and weighs between 130 and 150 tonnes. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is “in danger of extinction”. This species has been observed a few times in the Bay of Biscay, off the coast. However, it is easy to confuse it with the fin whale.
