* We don't have reliable measurements for every fin whale ever encountered. Historical accounts often lack precise details, and many individuals are never studied in detail.
* Fin whales are incredibly elusive. Their size and migratory patterns make them difficult to track and measure.
* There are individual variations within the species. While we know that fin whales can grow to massive sizes, their size is influenced by factors like age, sex, and environment.
However, we can point to some noteworthy examples:
* A 1935 record: A fin whale measuring 89.5 feet (27.3 meters) was measured in Norway. However, this record has been questioned and not universally accepted.
* Other large examples: There have been reports of other fin whales reaching over 80 feet (24 meters) in length.
It's important to note that these records are not necessarily the largest fin whale ever. It's very likely that even larger individuals have existed, but we haven't had the opportunity to observe or measure them.
The best we can say is that fin whales are the second-largest animals on Earth, capable of growing to truly enormous sizes.