Beach cleaner and surfer Ado Shorland stumbled across the massive mammal on Wanson Beach near Bude on Saturday.
Marine biologists are now examining the carcass, which is believed to be an endangered fin whale - although the state of decay means that this has not yet been confirmed.
"I found it yesterday morning. It measures around 20m and the lower jaw has been detached and alone it is about 5m. It is a very large whale," he told the Western Morning News.
"From a distance I thought it to be a large tarp or mesh netting. When I realised it was a whale I was excited and saddened at the same time.
"I felt humbled to be honest, the sheer size suggests it to be an adult, and alive it would have been such a majestic mammal."
Huge Fin Whale found by WTF organiser Ado shorland. See more on Facebook page. pic.twitter.com/UCXzGDH0tcFin whales are the second largest whale species after the Blue Whale, and can grow to up to 90ft in length and weigh between 40 and 80 tonnes.
- Widemouth Task Force (@WidemouthTaskFo) January 10, 2015
Solitary mammals, they travel the world's oceans, only avoiding the highest and lowest polar climates where there is a danger of ice.
Fin whales are still hunted in Greenland, and under limited controls in the seas surrounding Japan.
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter