The largest baleen whale species is the blue whale. Blue whales may be larger than any other living or extinct animal. For an activity appropriate for grades 4-8, click here. Pygmy right whales are among the smallest baleen whale species. This species is rarely recorded, so details of its physical size are poorly documented.
Some species exhibit differences in sizes depending on the stock.
In the northern hemisphere, baleen whales are usually slightly smaller than their southern hemisphere counterparts. B. Body shape. This body shape reduces drag and is energy efficient for swimming. C. Coloration 1. Most baleen whales exhibit skin color variations of black and gray.