Fin Whale Skull Bone

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Close-up of bone texture in the skull of a Fin Whale

The skull of the Fin Whale displayed on the quayside at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, is fascinating not only because of its enormous size, and its association with whaling in past times, but also because of the intriguing bone textures. Although much of the skull was composed of smooth hard compact bone, other areas were more sponge-like. Some places had a lace-like pattern and others looked like puffed wheat. Images 1 – 6  show the bone textures in close up – intricate matrix-like constructions with numerous trabeculae and struts. Images 7 – 10 show the skull from the wider perspective and in context where it is exhibited.

Close-up of bone texture in the skull of a Fin Whale

Close-up of bone texture in the skull of a Fin Whale

Close-up of bone texture in the skull of a Fin Whale

Close-up of bone texture in the skull of a Fin Whale

Close-up of bone texture in the skull of a Fin Whale

Fin Whale skull displayed at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia.

Fin Whale skull viewed from the front

Detail of Fin Whale skull showing nasal passages.

Fin Whale jaw bones propped up against the wall of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia.

Sign for the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada,

COPYRIGHT JESSICA WINDER 2013

All rights reserved

4 Replies to “Fin Whale Skull Bone”

  4. Yes, the detailed structures of skeletons of all kinds, vertebrate or invertebrate, are incredible. It is wonderful how animals, whether they are as big as whales or as small as barnacles, build these complicated structures to protect and support themselves.

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