The Family Balaenopteridae, commonly known as rorqual whales, includes some of the largest animals on Earth, such as the blue whale, fin whale, and humpback whale. Members of this family are baleen whales, using comb-like baleen plates to filter-feed on krill, small fish, and plankton. They are characterized by streamlined bodies, pleated throat grooves that expand during feeding, and powerful tails for long-distance swimming. Balaenopterids are migratory, often traveling thousands of kilometers between feeding and breeding grounds, and play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations and cycling nutrients through the oceans.