They are probably the loudest animals alive, louder than a jet engine. Within 30 minutes of its birth the baby whale can swim. Blue whales reach maturity at 10-15 years. Man also hunted blue whales until the International Whaling Commission declared them to be a protected species in 1966 because of a huge decrease in their population. SPAN Blue whales have a life expectancy of 35-40 years.
Blue whales are an endangered species.
They are one of 76 cetacean species, and are marine mammals.