There are two species of Minke Whale and this is also known as the Northern Minke Whale since it is found from the pole to the equator in the Atlantic and the Pacific. The Southern Minke Whale Balaenoptera bonaerensis is found in the southern hemisphere.

Like all members of the Rorqual group of whales it is a filter feeder and it feeds mainly on small schooling fish such as herring, mackerel and sardines.