Whales
Did you know blue whales are the largest mammals on Earth? Did you know some types of baleen whales filter food with their mouth open? Did you know humpback whales are the heaviest of all? Did you know killer whales drink sea water and their kidneys can remove salt from it? For more such interesting facts about the equally interesting whales, read on. Also find information on the anatomy, habitat, eating habits and adaptations in whales.
Interesting Facts About Finback Whales
Finback whales weigh about 7 to 8 times that of the largest and heaviest land animal-the African Elephant. This and other interesting facts about finback whales are revealed in this Buzzle write-up.
Finback whales weigh about 7 to 8 times that of the largest and heaviest land animal-the African Elephant. This and other interesting facts about finback whales are revealed in this Buzzle write-up.
Quick Fact!
In spite of their heavy weight, finback whales can cruise at a speed of 35 miles per hour, and hence, are dubbed 'the greyhound of the sea'.
Finback whales (Balaenoptera physalus) have become endangered species. You may wonder why all such fantastic species of the oceans are becoming endangered suddenly? The answer is, previously, ships, vessels, and fishing aids were not so advanced; hence, the finback would deceitfully get away, owing to its speed. Also, to catch and ferry a thing as heavy as the finback whale, required some mean horsepower engines.
But with the introduction of new, modern, fast-paced, and high-tech engines and fishing aids, finback whales became easy prey. According to the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Maine, almost 30,000 finbacks were killed every year from 1935 to 1965. Commercial whaling was the biggest reason for the dwindling numbers of these giants. Apart from whaling, a few other reasons, like accidentally getting entangled in fishing gear laid out for massive fishing of other fish, collisions with big ships, and changes in the marine ecosystem due to global warming and oil leakages, leading to scarcity of food are reported to have reduced their numbers. People trespassing their habitat for recreational whale watching also tends to disturb them. Although this does not cause mortality, it is still counted as one of the reasons that disrupts the marine balance.
Fin Whales: Some Interesting Facts
Scientific Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Subclass Eutheria
Order Cetacea
Suborder Mysticeti
Family Balaenopteridae
Genus Balaenoptera
Types of Finback Whales
Northern Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus physalus), found in the Atlantic Ocean
Southern Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus quoyi), found in the Antarctic Ocean
Description
They are the second-largest mammal and living animal in the world, the largest being the blue whale. They grow to a length of almost 88 feet (26 meters) and weigh around 75 tons. The females are slightly larger and longer than the males. They have a slender and streamlined body, that helps them increase their swimming speed greatly. Their head is V-shaped and flat from above.
Finback whales are gray on the upper side and pale white on the underside. They also display asymmetry in color on the jaws. They are light in color on the right side, and dark and mottled on the left. On the rear end and the sides, the color of the skin is light gray to brownish black.
Two stripes, light in color, emerge from behind the blowholes and join at the upper side towards the tail, to form a V-shape. On the underside, they have around 50 to 100 pleats that run lengthwise, from the chin to the navel, to allow for expansion during feeding. It is for this characteristic that they are called 'rorquals'. On the top of the body, on the far back end, this whale has a prominent tall and hook-shaped dorsal fin that is around 2 feet tall.
Habitat
All major oceans are their abode. Normally, they are found in offshore and deep waters, at least 25 miles from the shore, and 300 to 600 feet deep water. Finback whales are not so common in the tropical regions. They prefer temperate and cool waters, but keep themselves away from the ice-packed poles.
Migratory Behavior
These whales keep moving in and out of high-latitude and cold-current feeding areas according to the seasons. The North Atlantic fin whales migrate southward in autumn towards the West Indies for breeding, whereas, the Southern fin whales, in summer, migrate from the Antarctic feeding grounds to low latitude breeding areas.
This migratory pattern is recorded over time by combining the information gathered by some extensive ship surveys and acoustic readings from passive-listening hydrophones, but their overall migratory behavior is still not clear.
Breathing
The breathing pattern of this whale varies with the kind of activity it is doing. While feeding, they will breathe 5 to 6 times quickly in one minute. On the other hand, when they are traveling or simply resting, they will only breathe 1 or 2 times in a minute. They rarely breach. One reason for such behavior is because they get scared very easily by moving vessels or ships, but keep moving around still ships.
Diving
Before a dive, they come to the surface and arch their back high out of the water, though the flukes are never visible out of the water. When they take a dive, they reach up to a depth of around 1,500 feet in a span of around 10 to 15 minutes, for feeding. When they want to rest or travel, they just dive a few hundred feet at a time.
Diet and Feeding
Finback whales feed through the baleen plates. There can be around 260 to 475 baleen plates in an adult whale, on each side of the mouth. The plates are seen to be around 30 inches in length, and up to 12 inches in width. At the end, these plates fray out into bristle-like hair.
When in the mood to eat, these whales move at a speed of around 10 miles per hour. While moving, they open their jaws, and in one gulp, engulf around 70 cubic meters of water. Then they close the mouth and push all the water out through the baleen plates. The baleen plates trap their prey inside, while allowing the water to leave.
With each gulp of water, the whale gets around 20 pounds of food. It needs around 4,000 pounds of food every day to meet its energy needs. It will dive to depths of around 600 to 700 feet in search of sufficiently dense patches of prey. If it doesn't find food, it can even spend around three hours searching for it. They mainly prey on euphausiids like squid, crustaceans, copepods, krill, and herring.
A unique technique of hunting is seen to be followed by this whale. If it spots a school of fish and is not able to feed on them, it will keep circling them with high speed with its white side facing the prey. Out of fear, the small fish form a tight ball, and as soon as they gather together, it turns to its side and engulfs the mass of prey.
Breeding
The winter season is the mating season for these whales. They normally prefer temperate, low latitude areas for mating. The gestation period varies from eleven months to one year. A newborn whale will wean from the mother till 6 to 7 months of age. By this time, summer sets in, and the calf accompanies its mother to the feeding regions.
A female whale sexually matures between the age of 6 to 12 years, and then reproduces every 2 to 3 years. It is recorded that at a single time, a female can give birth to around 6 whales, but single births are more common. It is seen that the average lifespan of this whale is around 80 to 90 years.
Predator
Fin whales can only be attacked by killer whales, and that too when they are in groups. As I mentioned earlier, this whale gets scared easily, because of which it swims away to escape the area if attacked. It does not resist or fight its attackers. Very few such instances are recorded where people have witnessed an attack on a fin whale.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, this species is already under the risk of extinction, with only between 50,000 to 90,000 whales remaining, because of which the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has formed a body that regulates whaling. Iceland is the only country that still continues fin whale hunting.
In spite of their heavy weight, finback whales can cruise at a speed of 35 miles per hour, and hence, are dubbed 'the greyhound of the sea'.
Finback whales (Balaenoptera physalus) have become endangered species. You may wonder why all such fantastic species of the oceans are becoming endangered suddenly? The answer is, previously, ships, vessels, and fishing aids were not so advanced; hence, the finback would deceitfully get away, owing to its speed. Also, to catch and ferry a thing as heavy as the finback whale, required some mean horsepower engines.
But with the introduction of new, modern, fast-paced, and high-tech engines and fishing aids, finback whales became easy prey. According to the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Maine, almost 30,000 finbacks were killed every year from 1935 to 1965. Commercial whaling was the biggest reason for the dwindling numbers of these giants. Apart from whaling, a few other reasons, like accidentally getting entangled in fishing gear laid out for massive fishing of other fish, collisions with big ships, and changes in the marine ecosystem due to global warming and oil leakages, leading to scarcity of food are reported to have reduced their numbers. People trespassing their habitat for recreational whale watching also tends to disturb them. Although this does not cause mortality, it is still counted as one of the reasons that disrupts the marine balance.
Fin Whales: Some Interesting Facts
Scientific Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Subclass Eutheria
Order Cetacea
Suborder Mysticeti
Family Balaenopteridae
Genus Balaenoptera
Types of Finback Whales
Northern Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus physalus), found in the Atlantic Ocean
Southern Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus quoyi), found in the Antarctic Ocean
Description
They are the second-largest mammal and living animal in the world, the largest being the blue whale. They grow to a length of almost 88 feet (26 meters) and weigh around 75 tons. The females are slightly larger and longer than the males. They have a slender and streamlined body, that helps them increase their swimming speed greatly. Their head is V-shaped and flat from above.
Finback whales are gray on the upper side and pale white on the underside. They also display asymmetry in color on the jaws. They are light in color on the right side, and dark and mottled on the left. On the rear end and the sides, the color of the skin is light gray to brownish black.
Two stripes, light in color, emerge from behind the blowholes and join at the upper side towards the tail, to form a V-shape. On the underside, they have around 50 to 100 pleats that run lengthwise, from the chin to the navel, to allow for expansion during feeding. It is for this characteristic that they are called 'rorquals'. On the top of the body, on the far back end, this whale has a prominent tall and hook-shaped dorsal fin that is around 2 feet tall.
Habitat
All major oceans are their abode. Normally, they are found in offshore and deep waters, at least 25 miles from the shore, and 300 to 600 feet deep water. Finback whales are not so common in the tropical regions. They prefer temperate and cool waters, but keep themselves away from the ice-packed poles.
Migratory Behavior
These whales keep moving in and out of high-latitude and cold-current feeding areas according to the seasons. The North Atlantic fin whales migrate southward in autumn towards the West Indies for breeding, whereas, the Southern fin whales, in summer, migrate from the Antarctic feeding grounds to low latitude breeding areas.
This migratory pattern is recorded over time by combining the information gathered by some extensive ship surveys and acoustic readings from passive-listening hydrophones, but their overall migratory behavior is still not clear.
Breathing
The breathing pattern of this whale varies with the kind of activity it is doing. While feeding, they will breathe 5 to 6 times quickly in one minute. On the other hand, when they are traveling or simply resting, they will only breathe 1 or 2 times in a minute. They rarely breach. One reason for such behavior is because they get scared very easily by moving vessels or ships, but keep moving around still ships.
Diving
Before a dive, they come to the surface and arch their back high out of the water, though the flukes are never visible out of the water. When they take a dive, they reach up to a depth of around 1,500 feet in a span of around 10 to 15 minutes, for feeding. When they want to rest or travel, they just dive a few hundred feet at a time.
Diet and Feeding
Finback whales feed through the baleen plates. There can be around 260 to 475 baleen plates in an adult whale, on each side of the mouth. The plates are seen to be around 30 inches in length, and up to 12 inches in width. At the end, these plates fray out into bristle-like hair.
When in the mood to eat, these whales move at a speed of around 10 miles per hour. While moving, they open their jaws, and in one gulp, engulf around 70 cubic meters of water. Then they close the mouth and push all the water out through the baleen plates. The baleen plates trap their prey inside, while allowing the water to leave.
With each gulp of water, the whale gets around 20 pounds of food. It needs around 4,000 pounds of food every day to meet its energy needs. It will dive to depths of around 600 to 700 feet in search of sufficiently dense patches of prey. If it doesn't find food, it can even spend around three hours searching for it. They mainly prey on euphausiids like squid, crustaceans, copepods, krill, and herring.
A unique technique of hunting is seen to be followed by this whale. If it spots a school of fish and is not able to feed on them, it will keep circling them with high speed with its white side facing the prey. Out of fear, the small fish form a tight ball, and as soon as they gather together, it turns to its side and engulfs the mass of prey.
Breeding
The winter season is the mating season for these whales. They normally prefer temperate, low latitude areas for mating. The gestation period varies from eleven months to one year. A newborn whale will wean from the mother till 6 to 7 months of age. By this time, summer sets in, and the calf accompanies its mother to the feeding regions.
A female whale sexually matures between the age of 6 to 12 years, and then reproduces every 2 to 3 years. It is recorded that at a single time, a female can give birth to around 6 whales, but single births are more common. It is seen that the average lifespan of this whale is around 80 to 90 years.
Predator
Fin whales can only be attacked by killer whales, and that too when they are in groups. As I mentioned earlier, this whale gets scared easily, because of which it swims away to escape the area if attacked. It does not resist or fight its attackers. Very few such instances are recorded where people have witnessed an attack on a fin whale.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, this species is already under the risk of extinction, with only between 50,000 to 90,000 whales remaining, because of which the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has formed a body that regulates whaling. Iceland is the only country that still continues fin whale hunting.
Facts About the Right Whale
Much larger than the humpback and gray whale, but significantly smaller than the blue whale, the right whale is one of a kind. In this Buzzle article, we'll take a look at some interesting facts about the right whale and some of its general characteristics, as well.
Much larger than the humpback and gray whale, but significantly smaller than the blue whale, the right whale is one of a kind. In this Buzzle article, we'll take a look at some interesting facts about the right whale and some of its general characteristics, as well.
Identifying a Right Whale ...
... look for distinctive grayish-white callosities (rough patches of skin) on the head of the whale to identify it.
Right whales are a group of three species of huge baleen whales that belong to the genus Eubalaena. The three species are the North Atlantic right whale (E. glacialis), North Pacific right whale (E. japonica), and the Southern right whale (E. australis). Baleen whales are whales that have baleen plates instead of teeth, that help them filter food from the water.
All three species of this genus migrate on a regular basis for hunting, feeding, and mating. The northern and southern species are separated from each other by a barrier that is formed by warm equatorial waters. Their feeding habits change depending on their location.
Right whales are submissive and docile in nature, and swim close to the ocean surface and coast. In addition to this, the proportion of blubber on their bodies is exceptionally high, which makes them float when killed, and also yields large amounts of whale oil. Since these whales were easily accessible to fishermen, they were named 'right' whales.
Scientific Classification of the Right Whale
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Cetacea
Suborder Mysticeti
Family Balaenidae
Genus Eubalaena
Mentioned below are details in respect to the right whale's habitat, diet, mating, and reproduction, as well as its relationship with humans, and its conservation status.
Physical Description
The right whale is slightly different from other whales in appearance. Distinctive white callosities that are rough, grayish-white patches on the back of its head, set it apart. These callosities appear white in color because of the presence of large colonies of cyamids or whale lice. Even the belly of a right whale is covered with white patches. Right whales are round, have a broad back, and don't possess a dorsal fin. They grow up to 59 feet and can weigh up to a 100 short tons - that's 89 long tons. An average adult right whale could be between 36 - 59 feet long, and could weigh between 54 - 71 long tons. More than 40% of their body weight is made up of low density blubber (a thick layer of vascularized tissue). The fluke of a right whale's tail is broad and its blow is distinctively V-shaped. Right whales are baleen whales and have more than 200 baleen plates on each side of their mouth which help them filter food from the water. Although the blue whale is the largest animal on Earth, it is the right whale who takes credit for having the largest testicles. The testicles of a right whale are ten times larger than those of a blue whale.
Habitat
All three species of the genus Eubalaena have adapted to survive temperatures that are moderate, and anywhere between 20 to 60 degrees in latitude. Each whale species inhabits waters in different parts of the globe. The North Atlantic right whale is mostly found in parts of the western Atlantic Ocean, whereas the North Pacific right whale is found in waters of the band that ranges from Japan to Alaska, and all areas of the Southern Ocean as well. Right whales prefer staying closer to peninsulas, bays, and continental shelves, since these areas provide shelter and abundant food.
Mating and Reproduction
The mating season for right whales does not occur during a specific time in the year. The females typically breed every three to four years. As many as 20 male right whales consort one female. In a peculiar setting, the males stroke the belly of the female. The gestation period in right whales is one year and both reproduction and calving takes place in winter. The young ones, or calves, of the right whale are born weighing 1 short ton, and are 13 to 20 feet in length. Initially, during the first year, the calf grows at a fast rate, almost doubling up.
Diet
Known as extreme opportunistic feeders, right whales primarily feed on zooplankton, smaller crustaceans called copepods, krill, and pteropods. Unlike other whales, right whales have baleens on both sides of their mouth. They swim with an open mouth. The prey enters along with the water inside the whale's mouth. The whales then select their prey on the basis of size, speed, and number. It should be large and slow enough to not escape the baleens, and also large in number to satisfy the animal's hunger. Once the water and the prey enters the whale's mouth, it gets rid of the water to feed on the prey.
Conservation Status
Right whales are slow swimmers. Moreover, they swim close to the water surface, which makes them easy prey. Also, owing to its blubber content which yields tremendous amounts of whale oil, the right whale was hunted in extremely large numbers. At the start of the 20th century, whaling picked up pace and right whales were the most hunted. Their numbers soon started dwindling, until their population reached a point of near-depletion. These statistics called for immediate action, and whaling of right whales was banned in 1937. The North Atlantic as well as the North Pacific species have been listed as 'species threatened with extinction which is or may be affected by trade' by CITES, and as 'endangered' by the IUCN Red List. The southern right whale has been listed as 'endangered' by the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Although the numbers of right whales have revived, thanks to the effective bans, it is up to us to retain their population. Right whaling should not be encouraged. This beautiful species needs to be conserved and protected from possible endangerment.
... look for distinctive grayish-white callosities (rough patches of skin) on the head of the whale to identify it.
Right whales are a group of three species of huge baleen whales that belong to the genus Eubalaena. The three species are the North Atlantic right whale (E. glacialis), North Pacific right whale (E. japonica), and the Southern right whale (E. australis). Baleen whales are whales that have baleen plates instead of teeth, that help them filter food from the water.
All three species of this genus migrate on a regular basis for hunting, feeding, and mating. The northern and southern species are separated from each other by a barrier that is formed by warm equatorial waters. Their feeding habits change depending on their location.
Right whales are submissive and docile in nature, and swim close to the ocean surface and coast. In addition to this, the proportion of blubber on their bodies is exceptionally high, which makes them float when killed, and also yields large amounts of whale oil. Since these whales were easily accessible to fishermen, they were named 'right' whales.
Scientific Classification of the Right Whale
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Cetacea
Suborder Mysticeti
Family Balaenidae
Genus Eubalaena
Mentioned below are details in respect to the right whale's habitat, diet, mating, and reproduction, as well as its relationship with humans, and its conservation status.
Physical Description
The right whale is slightly different from other whales in appearance. Distinctive white callosities that are rough, grayish-white patches on the back of its head, set it apart. These callosities appear white in color because of the presence of large colonies of cyamids or whale lice. Even the belly of a right whale is covered with white patches. Right whales are round, have a broad back, and don't possess a dorsal fin. They grow up to 59 feet and can weigh up to a 100 short tons - that's 89 long tons. An average adult right whale could be between 36 - 59 feet long, and could weigh between 54 - 71 long tons. More than 40% of their body weight is made up of low density blubber (a thick layer of vascularized tissue). The fluke of a right whale's tail is broad and its blow is distinctively V-shaped. Right whales are baleen whales and have more than 200 baleen plates on each side of their mouth which help them filter food from the water. Although the blue whale is the largest animal on Earth, it is the right whale who takes credit for having the largest testicles. The testicles of a right whale are ten times larger than those of a blue whale.
Habitat
All three species of the genus Eubalaena have adapted to survive temperatures that are moderate, and anywhere between 20 to 60 degrees in latitude. Each whale species inhabits waters in different parts of the globe. The North Atlantic right whale is mostly found in parts of the western Atlantic Ocean, whereas the North Pacific right whale is found in waters of the band that ranges from Japan to Alaska, and all areas of the Southern Ocean as well. Right whales prefer staying closer to peninsulas, bays, and continental shelves, since these areas provide shelter and abundant food.
Mating and Reproduction
The mating season for right whales does not occur during a specific time in the year. The females typically breed every three to four years. As many as 20 male right whales consort one female. In a peculiar setting, the males stroke the belly of the female. The gestation period in right whales is one year and both reproduction and calving takes place in winter. The young ones, or calves, of the right whale are born weighing 1 short ton, and are 13 to 20 feet in length. Initially, during the first year, the calf grows at a fast rate, almost doubling up.
Diet
Known as extreme opportunistic feeders, right whales primarily feed on zooplankton, smaller crustaceans called copepods, krill, and pteropods. Unlike other whales, right whales have baleens on both sides of their mouth. They swim with an open mouth. The prey enters along with the water inside the whale's mouth. The whales then select their prey on the basis of size, speed, and number. It should be large and slow enough to not escape the baleens, and also large in number to satisfy the animal's hunger. Once the water and the prey enters the whale's mouth, it gets rid of the water to feed on the prey.
Conservation Status
Right whales are slow swimmers. Moreover, they swim close to the water surface, which makes them easy prey. Also, owing to its blubber content which yields tremendous amounts of whale oil, the right whale was hunted in extremely large numbers. At the start of the 20th century, whaling picked up pace and right whales were the most hunted. Their numbers soon started dwindling, until their population reached a point of near-depletion. These statistics called for immediate action, and whaling of right whales was banned in 1937. The North Atlantic as well as the North Pacific species have been listed as 'species threatened with extinction which is or may be affected by trade' by CITES, and as 'endangered' by the IUCN Red List. The southern right whale has been listed as 'endangered' by the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Although the numbers of right whales have revived, thanks to the effective bans, it is up to us to retain their population. Right whaling should not be encouraged. This beautiful species needs to be conserved and protected from possible endangerment.
Facts about Minke Whales
The minke whale is small and sleek with a pointed, triangular snout and dark-colored body. This Buzzle article compiles some interesting facts about this whale.
Like other baleen whales, the minke whale too uses the comb-like
baleen plates in its mouth to filter out plankton, krill, and small fish
from the water.
Minke whales are baleen whales that belong to the suborder Mysticeti. These whales comprise the genus Balaenoptera of the family Balaenopteridae. Being a baleen whale, the minke whale indulges in filter feeding using the baleen plates on its upper jaw. The members of the family Balaenopteridae are also called rorquals, due to the pleated skin folds below their mouth. Minke whales are the most abundantly found baleen whales.
Minke Whale Taxonomy
As of now, there are two recognized species of minke whales. They are:
1. Common (or northern) minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
2. Antarctic (or southern) minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)
According to some taxonomists, there is a third species called the dwarf minke whale. However, they are still not recognized as a separate species. The northern minke whale has two subspecies: (i) Balaenoptera acutorostrata scammoni in the North Pacific; and (ii) Balaenoptera acutorostrata acutorostrata in the North Atlantic.
What Does a Minke Whale Look Like?
✦ Size: Minke whales are believed to be the second smallest among the baleen whales. Females can grow slightly bigger than the males and attain an average body length of around 25 feet. In case of males, the length may range between 23 to 24 feet. However, the maximum length of a minke whale can be around 35 feet. While their average body weight ranges between four to five tons, some can grow up to ten tons.
The minke whale has a sleek, streamlined body that is dark gray to black in color. The ventral side of its body may have a lighter or whiter shade. The upper rostrum (snout) is narrow and triangular with a ridge that extends to the two blowholes that are located near the top of the head.
✦ Baleen Plates and Throat Grooves: Instead of teeth, this whale has two rows of yellowish-white baleen plates that grow on the upper jaw. Each side of the jaw has around 300 baleen plates that can be about 11 inches in length. The structure of the baleen plates resemble the teeth of a comb. In Antarctic minke whales, the baleen plates can have a combination of white and gray colors. Even the number and size of baleen plates are said to be higher in the southern species. It is said that dwarf minke whales have white baleen plates with a thin black border. The throat grooves are actually pleated folds of skin. These grooves are found below the mouth and extend to the pectoral flippers. The function of this structure is to expand the buccal cavity (mouth), so as to take in the maximum amount of water, along with the prey.
throat grooves in a minke whale
Throat grooves and flippers
✦ Flippers and Fins: The sickle-shaped (falcate) dorsal fin of a minke whale is located towards the posterior side of the body. These whales have small ridges near the tail. The broad flukes (two lobes of the tail) with a notched center have pointed tips. The pectoral flippers in northern minke whales are long with a broad, white band. Antarctic minke whales do not have this band, but their flippers may have white edges. In case of the dwarf minke whale, a white patch can be seen on the upper part of the flippers. This white patch may extend to the back. In general, the flippers of these whales have pointed tips.
dorsal fin of a minke whale
The sickle-shaped dorsal fin
The features of minke whales may vary slightly with the species, their geographical location, etc. Individuals of the same species and location may also display some variations.
Where are Minke Whales Found?
While common minke whales are found in most of the oceans in the Northern Hemisphere, the Antarctic ones are found in the Southern Hemisphere. The latter can be seen in the southern Atlantic Ocean, between 20°S to 65°S. During summer, they can be found in regions where there are thick layers of ice. Antarctic minke whales are found in large numbers in areas, like Prydz Bay, the Weddell Sea, and the Ross Sea. The common minke whales are found in almost all oceans, especially in the latitude range of 65°S to 80°N. Apart from the North Atlantic and North Pacific, these whales can also be seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
The range of dwarf minke whales may sometimes overlap with that of the Antarctic ones. They can be found in oceans near Australia and South Africa. Minke whales are highly migratory, especially the common minke whales. They can be seen in both coastal and offshore waters. Sometimes, these whales are seen in bays and estuaries too.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Both the baleen plates and throat grooves help the whale in filter feeding, which involves gulping large amounts of water. The skin folds (of the throat grooves) expand to accommodate maximum amount of water in a single move. The water is then filtered through the baleen plates that function like a sieve to retain the prey inside the mouth. While Antarctic minke whales feed exclusively on krill, a common minke whale's diet consists of a wide array of fish, like sardines, squid, herring, copepods, etc. They may also feed on plankton.
filter feeding in a baleen whale
Filter feeding in a baleen whale
Minke Whale Behavior
Minke whales are mostly solitary in nature, but small groups of two to three individuals are not uncommon. During migration, these whales may move around in large numbers. Minke whales are really fast swimmers who can move at a maximum speed of 24 miles per hour. During feeding, these whales lower their speed to 6 miles per hour. As they dive, they arch their backs and display the dorsal fin, but the flukes may not be seen. Usually, they take short dives that last for around ten minutes, though they are capable of taking longer dives too. They breathe through the blowholes located on the top of the head. They take in air at the surface, but the spouts are not that prominent, as they exhale far below the water surface. The spouts are more visible in the Antarctic species.
✦ Reproduction: Minke whales reach sexual maturity around the age of three to eight. Antarctic minke whales may take longer (seven to eight years), when compared to the common ones. Usually, mating takes place during winter, and the gestation period is around 11 months. A single calf is born with a body weight of 0.4 to 0.5 tons and a length of 8 to 12 feet.
✦ Vocalization: These whales are known for their unique vocalization. Some of their sounds are so unusual that they are named star wars, boing, etc. Other vocalizations include clicks, grunts, pulse trains, and thumps. The name 'star wars' was given, as the particular sound resembled that of a laser gun from 'Star Wars'. It is believed that this particular sound is used by these whales to attract females.
Minke whales are said to be the most abundant among the baleen whales. While the common minke whale comes under the 'Least Concern' list of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the Antarctic minke whale is in the 'Data Deficient' list. As of now, the population of minke whales is considered stable, but certain regions have shown a decline in numbers due to whaling and fishing activities. Another possible threat is underwater sounds that may interfere with their communication using low-frequency sounds. The lifespan of minke whales can be between 30 to 50 years.
Minke whales are baleen whales that belong to the suborder Mysticeti. These whales comprise the genus Balaenoptera of the family Balaenopteridae. Being a baleen whale, the minke whale indulges in filter feeding using the baleen plates on its upper jaw. The members of the family Balaenopteridae are also called rorquals, due to the pleated skin folds below their mouth. Minke whales are the most abundantly found baleen whales.
Minke Whale Taxonomy
As of now, there are two recognized species of minke whales. They are:
1. Common (or northern) minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
2. Antarctic (or southern) minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)
According to some taxonomists, there is a third species called the dwarf minke whale. However, they are still not recognized as a separate species. The northern minke whale has two subspecies: (i) Balaenoptera acutorostrata scammoni in the North Pacific; and (ii) Balaenoptera acutorostrata acutorostrata in the North Atlantic.
What Does a Minke Whale Look Like?
✦ Size: Minke whales are believed to be the second smallest among the baleen whales. Females can grow slightly bigger than the males and attain an average body length of around 25 feet. In case of males, the length may range between 23 to 24 feet. However, the maximum length of a minke whale can be around 35 feet. While their average body weight ranges between four to five tons, some can grow up to ten tons.
The minke whale has a sleek, streamlined body that is dark gray to black in color. The ventral side of its body may have a lighter or whiter shade. The upper rostrum (snout) is narrow and triangular with a ridge that extends to the two blowholes that are located near the top of the head.
✦ Baleen Plates and Throat Grooves: Instead of teeth, this whale has two rows of yellowish-white baleen plates that grow on the upper jaw. Each side of the jaw has around 300 baleen plates that can be about 11 inches in length. The structure of the baleen plates resemble the teeth of a comb. In Antarctic minke whales, the baleen plates can have a combination of white and gray colors. Even the number and size of baleen plates are said to be higher in the southern species. It is said that dwarf minke whales have white baleen plates with a thin black border. The throat grooves are actually pleated folds of skin. These grooves are found below the mouth and extend to the pectoral flippers. The function of this structure is to expand the buccal cavity (mouth), so as to take in the maximum amount of water, along with the prey.
throat grooves in a minke whale
Throat grooves and flippers
✦ Flippers and Fins: The sickle-shaped (falcate) dorsal fin of a minke whale is located towards the posterior side of the body. These whales have small ridges near the tail. The broad flukes (two lobes of the tail) with a notched center have pointed tips. The pectoral flippers in northern minke whales are long with a broad, white band. Antarctic minke whales do not have this band, but their flippers may have white edges. In case of the dwarf minke whale, a white patch can be seen on the upper part of the flippers. This white patch may extend to the back. In general, the flippers of these whales have pointed tips.
dorsal fin of a minke whale
The sickle-shaped dorsal fin
The features of minke whales may vary slightly with the species, their geographical location, etc. Individuals of the same species and location may also display some variations.
Where are Minke Whales Found?
While common minke whales are found in most of the oceans in the Northern Hemisphere, the Antarctic ones are found in the Southern Hemisphere. The latter can be seen in the southern Atlantic Ocean, between 20°S to 65°S. During summer, they can be found in regions where there are thick layers of ice. Antarctic minke whales are found in large numbers in areas, like Prydz Bay, the Weddell Sea, and the Ross Sea. The common minke whales are found in almost all oceans, especially in the latitude range of 65°S to 80°N. Apart from the North Atlantic and North Pacific, these whales can also be seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
The range of dwarf minke whales may sometimes overlap with that of the Antarctic ones. They can be found in oceans near Australia and South Africa. Minke whales are highly migratory, especially the common minke whales. They can be seen in both coastal and offshore waters. Sometimes, these whales are seen in bays and estuaries too.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Both the baleen plates and throat grooves help the whale in filter feeding, which involves gulping large amounts of water. The skin folds (of the throat grooves) expand to accommodate maximum amount of water in a single move. The water is then filtered through the baleen plates that function like a sieve to retain the prey inside the mouth. While Antarctic minke whales feed exclusively on krill, a common minke whale's diet consists of a wide array of fish, like sardines, squid, herring, copepods, etc. They may also feed on plankton.
filter feeding in a baleen whale
Filter feeding in a baleen whale
Minke Whale Behavior
Minke whales are mostly solitary in nature, but small groups of two to three individuals are not uncommon. During migration, these whales may move around in large numbers. Minke whales are really fast swimmers who can move at a maximum speed of 24 miles per hour. During feeding, these whales lower their speed to 6 miles per hour. As they dive, they arch their backs and display the dorsal fin, but the flukes may not be seen. Usually, they take short dives that last for around ten minutes, though they are capable of taking longer dives too. They breathe through the blowholes located on the top of the head. They take in air at the surface, but the spouts are not that prominent, as they exhale far below the water surface. The spouts are more visible in the Antarctic species.
✦ Reproduction: Minke whales reach sexual maturity around the age of three to eight. Antarctic minke whales may take longer (seven to eight years), when compared to the common ones. Usually, mating takes place during winter, and the gestation period is around 11 months. A single calf is born with a body weight of 0.4 to 0.5 tons and a length of 8 to 12 feet.
✦ Vocalization: These whales are known for their unique vocalization. Some of their sounds are so unusual that they are named star wars, boing, etc. Other vocalizations include clicks, grunts, pulse trains, and thumps. The name 'star wars' was given, as the particular sound resembled that of a laser gun from 'Star Wars'. It is believed that this particular sound is used by these whales to attract females.
Minke whales are said to be the most abundant among the baleen whales. While the common minke whale comes under the 'Least Concern' list of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the Antarctic minke whale is in the 'Data Deficient' list. As of now, the population of minke whales is considered stable, but certain regions have shown a decline in numbers due to whaling and fishing activities. Another possible threat is underwater sounds that may interfere with their communication using low-frequency sounds. The lifespan of minke whales can be between 30 to 50 years.
Best Whale Watching Places Around the World
For marine animal lovers, whale watching is one of the most enthralling experiences. So, where can these mammals be seen at their best? In this article below, we have enlisted some of the best whale watching places around the world. Take a look ...
Whales are one of the most mysterious and beautiful mammals of the
sea. Their acrobatics as they surface have left adventurers awestruck!
The best part of these huge creatures of the marine is that they love to
travel! They explore deep waters running across many countries and
mesmerize adventure lovers with their playfulness and sheer curiosity!
Whale watching has become a popular marine adventure, with many lovers of the sea world trying their luck to spot different species of whales at a close perspective. There are many places in the world where whales are seen and at a close distance, and as mentioned above, they travel according to the season. This Buzzle write-up has enlisted some of the best spots to capture even the rare species of whale across the globe.
Best Places for Whale Watching
Whale spotting is an important consideration whenever you go for a whale watching tour or adventure. Many times, even if the time and season are apt, you may not be able to spot a whale easily. But these places enlisted below have a good success rate when it comes to whale spotting. Some of these places are home to the whales all year round. The places mentioned below are, however, not in an ascending or descending order of the best, but they simply are a compilation of the best locations in the world to spot whales.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Breaching humpback whale in Cape Cod Bay
Cape Cod in Massachusetts, located in the Atlantic, is surrounded by beautiful beaches on three sides. This makes it the best place to have the most enthralling whale watching experience! These Atlantic waters are home for finback, minke, and humpback whales. Moreover, Cape Cod Bay has a 99 percent success rate when it comes to whale spotting! You can view these huge dwellers of blue spyhopping, sounding, or breaching. Most tours take you through the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which is the favorite feeding ground of these whales.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Humpback whale in Mexico
The amazing climate of Los Cabos in Mexico is enough to attract tourists all year round. However, there is also another attraction that draws tourists, which is the huge humpback whales that migrate from the cold waters of Alaska and Siberia towards Los Cabos. These whales migrate over 6,000 miles to dwell in the warm waters of the sea of Cortez and Baja California. Gray whales mostly are seen in the shallow lagoons of San Ignacio, Ojo de Liebre, and Magdalena Bay. These splendid creatures of the marine arrive just as the tourist season hits an all-time high, which is during the months of January through April. You will see whales mating, nursing, and playing with their young ones!
Azores, Portugal
Sperm whales meet in marguerite formation, Azores
The nine Portugal islands that make up Azores, located in the middle of Atlantic ocean, is an isolated location, but have abundance of fish species that whales love to dine on. There are more than 20 species of dolphins and whales that can be spotted here. Specially, the sperm whale and short-finned pilot whale are more often seen splurging in these waters. Out of the nine volcanic islands, Pico, Sao Jorge, and Faial are some of the best whale watching locations with a good whale-spotting rate. Head here for an ultimate experience of whale watching during the months of April through September. If you get lucky, you might even spot the rare Northern bottlenose whale in Azores!
Maui, Hawaii
Breaching humpback whale in Maui
Winters call for a warm vacation in the Hawaii for most people. So is the case with the spectacular humpback whales! These creatures migrate towards the warmer waters of Hawaii as winter approaches. Maui, with its tropical beaches, also has clear waters to its advantage. With underwater visibility nearing 100 feet, it is a treat for spectators to watch these marine creatures with much ease and clarity. Maui is like the watering hole for whales in the months of November through April. Whale lovers will also be glad to know that Hawaii has named whales as their official state marine animal!
Quebec, Newfoundland - Canada
Beluga (white) whale lifting its head in Canada
Quebec is one of the rare locations in the world where one can spot the great North Atlantic right whale and Beluga. During the months of May through September, marine lovers flock Canada to catch a treasured glimpse of these mammals. Many whale-watching adventures here use inflatable rafts for their journey. This does not disturb the marine giant's habitat, and you get a spectacular closeup of whales. Newfoundland is also home to some of the varied species of whales, like blue, orca, sperm, pothead, and minke. So, Canada is one of the never-to-be-missed destinations for whale lovers. Hop on a ride to see white beluga whales lift their heads above water, as they swim and breach along the shores!
Iceland
Orca whale in Iceland
The cooler waters of the North Atlantic are favorite feeding grounds for most species of whales. The northern waters are perfect for these whales to fatten up, before they migrate to warm waters for mating. There are many whale watching tours to choose from, with fishing vessels redesigned for an amazing whale-watching experience. You will see varied species of whales, like bottlenose, sperm, minke, fin, and also killer whales, which are most commonly seen. Blue and humpback whales are also occasionally seen here. Another interesting fact is that the famous killer whale - 'Keiko', commonly known as willy from the movie series - 'Free Willy', was born and caught in Iceland waters!
Hermanus, South Africa
Southern right whale in Hermanus
The coastlines of South Africa have whale routes that extend up to 1200 miles from Cape Town to Durban. However, the best place to spot these gentle giants of the marine is Hermanus. Located at the southernmost tip of Africa, it offers one of the best whale-watching adventures, with southern right whales migrating here to feed, mate, and also give birth. Most whales are also seen very close to the shore, which means you need not travel deep in the center to spot them. With beaches designed with benches and other watching equipment, you can easily spot many species of whales enjoying in the shallow and warm waters. An added attraction of Hermanus is the Annual Hermanus Whale Festival that is celebrated in August every year. The best time to spot whales is from May through December, but you might just want to plan a visit in August and be a part of the Whale Festival!
Hervey Bay, Australia
Humpback whales in Hervey Bay
The protected and serene waters of Hervey Bay in Australia make a perfect invite for humpback whales. It is one of the best places to go whale watching from July through October. The clear waters offer a splendid display of huge humpbacks, which migrate from Antarctica, which is their feeding ground, and take a stop at Hervey Bay before heading South. The calm and warm waters of this bay are like home to the humpbacks, which at times, come close to boats and vessels with nothing but curiosity!
Orcas Island, Washington
Orca whale seen jumping in Orcas Island
The San Juan Islands chain, off the coast of Washington, hosts a home for pods of orcas and gray whales. This island is the breeding ground for orcas, also known as killer whales. The extensive coastlines of this island offer plenty of whale watching adventures and breathtaking visuals. If you are a whale lover, this place is a must-visit between April through October. A whale-watching experience here will leave you fascinated and coming back for more.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Sperm whale spotted in Kaikoura
For those who want to spot the giant of the marine - Sperm whale, Kaikoura in New Zealand is the apt place to spot them. This small-town island is located in the south and has the perfect balance of warm and cold currents, which makes it highly populated with rich marine food for these mammals to pit stop, and can be seen all year round. Other species of whales, like pilot whales, humpbacks, and orcas are also seen in Kaikoura at different times of the year. This incredible island also hosts some of the smallest and rarest species of dolphins called Hector dolphins and fur seals.
California
Gray whale in California
California is one of the best places to see the largest species of whales, which is the gray whale. The area between the Channel islands and Mainland is a rich ground to watch some of the best species of whales all year round. Monterey Bay and the central coast that lies between Point Reyes and Santa Barbara channel is also one of the hot spots to watch the rare minke or fin whale. A spectacular view of huge 40 to 50 feet mammals gliding under water can be seen at San Diego, and at the rate of 8 whales gliding through water per hour! It is one of the favorite stops for whales, before they migrate to the warmer waters in Baja!
Dominica, Caribbean
Tourists watching a sperm whale in Dominica
The Caribbean island of Dominica has deep waters that home the blunt-headed sperm whales and humpback whales. The island, which is also known as the whale watching capital of the Caribbean, has a 90 percent success rate for whale spotting. The best spot for locating sperm whales, orcas, and pygmy whales is between Martinique and Guadeloupe. Most whales can be seen breeding and playing in the waters all yearlong; however, the best time to see these amazing mammals is between November and June.
So, the next time you want an adventure fueled with the best whale watching memories, you know which waters home them for you! Pick one of these destinations for a fun and thrill-packed whale watching experience. You might want to keep your camera ready and hold your breath as these monstrous forms reveal a spectacular display of their true nature and life in the marine!
Whale watching has become a popular marine adventure, with many lovers of the sea world trying their luck to spot different species of whales at a close perspective. There are many places in the world where whales are seen and at a close distance, and as mentioned above, they travel according to the season. This Buzzle write-up has enlisted some of the best spots to capture even the rare species of whale across the globe.
Best Places for Whale Watching
Whale spotting is an important consideration whenever you go for a whale watching tour or adventure. Many times, even if the time and season are apt, you may not be able to spot a whale easily. But these places enlisted below have a good success rate when it comes to whale spotting. Some of these places are home to the whales all year round. The places mentioned below are, however, not in an ascending or descending order of the best, but they simply are a compilation of the best locations in the world to spot whales.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Breaching humpback whale in Cape Cod Bay
Cape Cod in Massachusetts, located in the Atlantic, is surrounded by beautiful beaches on three sides. This makes it the best place to have the most enthralling whale watching experience! These Atlantic waters are home for finback, minke, and humpback whales. Moreover, Cape Cod Bay has a 99 percent success rate when it comes to whale spotting! You can view these huge dwellers of blue spyhopping, sounding, or breaching. Most tours take you through the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which is the favorite feeding ground of these whales.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Humpback whale in Mexico
The amazing climate of Los Cabos in Mexico is enough to attract tourists all year round. However, there is also another attraction that draws tourists, which is the huge humpback whales that migrate from the cold waters of Alaska and Siberia towards Los Cabos. These whales migrate over 6,000 miles to dwell in the warm waters of the sea of Cortez and Baja California. Gray whales mostly are seen in the shallow lagoons of San Ignacio, Ojo de Liebre, and Magdalena Bay. These splendid creatures of the marine arrive just as the tourist season hits an all-time high, which is during the months of January through April. You will see whales mating, nursing, and playing with their young ones!
Azores, Portugal
Sperm whales meet in marguerite formation, Azores
The nine Portugal islands that make up Azores, located in the middle of Atlantic ocean, is an isolated location, but have abundance of fish species that whales love to dine on. There are more than 20 species of dolphins and whales that can be spotted here. Specially, the sperm whale and short-finned pilot whale are more often seen splurging in these waters. Out of the nine volcanic islands, Pico, Sao Jorge, and Faial are some of the best whale watching locations with a good whale-spotting rate. Head here for an ultimate experience of whale watching during the months of April through September. If you get lucky, you might even spot the rare Northern bottlenose whale in Azores!
Maui, Hawaii
Breaching humpback whale in Maui
Winters call for a warm vacation in the Hawaii for most people. So is the case with the spectacular humpback whales! These creatures migrate towards the warmer waters of Hawaii as winter approaches. Maui, with its tropical beaches, also has clear waters to its advantage. With underwater visibility nearing 100 feet, it is a treat for spectators to watch these marine creatures with much ease and clarity. Maui is like the watering hole for whales in the months of November through April. Whale lovers will also be glad to know that Hawaii has named whales as their official state marine animal!
Quebec, Newfoundland - Canada
Beluga (white) whale lifting its head in Canada
Quebec is one of the rare locations in the world where one can spot the great North Atlantic right whale and Beluga. During the months of May through September, marine lovers flock Canada to catch a treasured glimpse of these mammals. Many whale-watching adventures here use inflatable rafts for their journey. This does not disturb the marine giant's habitat, and you get a spectacular closeup of whales. Newfoundland is also home to some of the varied species of whales, like blue, orca, sperm, pothead, and minke. So, Canada is one of the never-to-be-missed destinations for whale lovers. Hop on a ride to see white beluga whales lift their heads above water, as they swim and breach along the shores!
Iceland
Orca whale in Iceland
The cooler waters of the North Atlantic are favorite feeding grounds for most species of whales. The northern waters are perfect for these whales to fatten up, before they migrate to warm waters for mating. There are many whale watching tours to choose from, with fishing vessels redesigned for an amazing whale-watching experience. You will see varied species of whales, like bottlenose, sperm, minke, fin, and also killer whales, which are most commonly seen. Blue and humpback whales are also occasionally seen here. Another interesting fact is that the famous killer whale - 'Keiko', commonly known as willy from the movie series - 'Free Willy', was born and caught in Iceland waters!
Hermanus, South Africa
Southern right whale in Hermanus
The coastlines of South Africa have whale routes that extend up to 1200 miles from Cape Town to Durban. However, the best place to spot these gentle giants of the marine is Hermanus. Located at the southernmost tip of Africa, it offers one of the best whale-watching adventures, with southern right whales migrating here to feed, mate, and also give birth. Most whales are also seen very close to the shore, which means you need not travel deep in the center to spot them. With beaches designed with benches and other watching equipment, you can easily spot many species of whales enjoying in the shallow and warm waters. An added attraction of Hermanus is the Annual Hermanus Whale Festival that is celebrated in August every year. The best time to spot whales is from May through December, but you might just want to plan a visit in August and be a part of the Whale Festival!
Hervey Bay, Australia
Humpback whales in Hervey Bay
The protected and serene waters of Hervey Bay in Australia make a perfect invite for humpback whales. It is one of the best places to go whale watching from July through October. The clear waters offer a splendid display of huge humpbacks, which migrate from Antarctica, which is their feeding ground, and take a stop at Hervey Bay before heading South. The calm and warm waters of this bay are like home to the humpbacks, which at times, come close to boats and vessels with nothing but curiosity!
Orcas Island, Washington
Orca whale seen jumping in Orcas Island
The San Juan Islands chain, off the coast of Washington, hosts a home for pods of orcas and gray whales. This island is the breeding ground for orcas, also known as killer whales. The extensive coastlines of this island offer plenty of whale watching adventures and breathtaking visuals. If you are a whale lover, this place is a must-visit between April through October. A whale-watching experience here will leave you fascinated and coming back for more.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Sperm whale spotted in Kaikoura
For those who want to spot the giant of the marine - Sperm whale, Kaikoura in New Zealand is the apt place to spot them. This small-town island is located in the south and has the perfect balance of warm and cold currents, which makes it highly populated with rich marine food for these mammals to pit stop, and can be seen all year round. Other species of whales, like pilot whales, humpbacks, and orcas are also seen in Kaikoura at different times of the year. This incredible island also hosts some of the smallest and rarest species of dolphins called Hector dolphins and fur seals.
California
Gray whale in California
California is one of the best places to see the largest species of whales, which is the gray whale. The area between the Channel islands and Mainland is a rich ground to watch some of the best species of whales all year round. Monterey Bay and the central coast that lies between Point Reyes and Santa Barbara channel is also one of the hot spots to watch the rare minke or fin whale. A spectacular view of huge 40 to 50 feet mammals gliding under water can be seen at San Diego, and at the rate of 8 whales gliding through water per hour! It is one of the favorite stops for whales, before they migrate to the warmer waters in Baja!
Dominica, Caribbean
Tourists watching a sperm whale in Dominica
The Caribbean island of Dominica has deep waters that home the blunt-headed sperm whales and humpback whales. The island, which is also known as the whale watching capital of the Caribbean, has a 90 percent success rate for whale spotting. The best spot for locating sperm whales, orcas, and pygmy whales is between Martinique and Guadeloupe. Most whales can be seen breeding and playing in the waters all yearlong; however, the best time to see these amazing mammals is between November and June.
So, the next time you want an adventure fueled with the best whale watching memories, you know which waters home them for you! Pick one of these destinations for a fun and thrill-packed whale watching experience. You might want to keep your camera ready and hold your breath as these monstrous forms reveal a spectacular display of their true nature and life in the marine!
Why are Blue Whales Endangered?
According to scientific evidence, blue whales are the largest creatures to dwell on Earth, after the dinosaurs. But the sad fact is that these amazing creatures were designated as endangered for a long time and there is no improvement in their numbers. Scroll below to learn why blue whales are endangered.
According to scientific evidence, blue whales are the largest creatures to dwell on Earth, after the dinosaurs. But the sad fact is that these amazing creatures were designated as endangered for a long time and there is no improvement in their numbers. Scroll below to learn why blue whales are endangered.
Not all types of whales fall in the list of endangered species.
Blue whales have perhaps come to this state because of their large size,
which drew a lot of human attention towards them. Human infiltration in
the blue whales territory is the most obvious and basic reason for
these large sea creatures to be included in the list of protected
species.
The blue whale was included in the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List, in the year 1960 and still continues to be endangered. Let's take a look at some basic facts and information about the blue whale.
Interesting Facts about Blue Whales
♓ Blue whales are not only the largest whale species but also the largest mammal species to have ever existed on Earth. The average length of a blue whale is 23-27 meters and its weight range is between 100 and 150 tons.
♓ The name "blue whale" is a misnomer. These whales are not really blue in color but are actually gray. They have huge pleats on the skins of their neck, which allows them to consume a lot of water.
♓ Blue whales feed on krill and while doing so, they consume huge gallons of water along with the food. The water is filtered out by the baleen, which is a comb-like structure present in its throat.
♓ In spite of their enormous size, blue whales can swim at an impressive speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour.
♓ These marine behemoths have a very distinctive way of communicating with each other. They use low frequency sound waves, above 188 decibels, to send sound signals. This is even higher than the sound produced by a jet fighter.
♓ Before the whale hunting era started, blue whales could be spotted in all major oceans. Once, there were more than 200,000 blue whales that swam in the oceans.
♓ The Seas of Canada, North Atlantic Ocean and the seas to the south of Madagascar, are among the most popular regions where blue whales can be spotted nowadays. Other major regions are the Antarctic Ocean and the Davis Strait.
Why are Blue Whales Endangered?
There was a time, when the blue whale was a major animal in every large water body of the world. But the arrival of the whale hunting era, diminished the whale count by such a massive number, that blue whales are still endangered today. The reasons for whaling were multifold. Their large size mistakenly led mariners to believe that such a huge animal could be a deadly threat in the sea. Also, whale blubber and meat were desired products from this oceanic mammal. But early whaling was restricted by primitive tools and whaling techniques. So the damage to whale populations was controllable.
With the advent of powerful harpoon guns, steam-powered boats and the stern slipway in whaling ships, whaling advanced, with more whales being hunted at a rapid rate. In 1931 alone, 29,649 whales were killed. Blue whales also have a slow rate of reproduction. A female blue whale gives birth to one calf, every two years. This means the rate of depletion of the whale's population cannot be countered by a surge in births. By 1966, the International Whaling Commission declared blue whales as protected animals and banned blue whale hunting in international waters. But the number of blue whales remains low due to man's deep-sea activities. Heavy sea traffic causes accidents, where blue whales are injured by ships or cargo vessels. Deep-sea fishing involves using large nets and trawling equipment, in which blue whales can get entangled and drown.
The International Whaling Commission, has taken steps to protect these wonderful creatures. Committees of experts have been formed to work against whaling, entrapment and predation of blue whales. But their population remains low. Recent blue whale statistics indicate between 12,000-15,000 of these ocean-dwellers remain.
The blue whale was included in the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List, in the year 1960 and still continues to be endangered. Let's take a look at some basic facts and information about the blue whale.
Interesting Facts about Blue Whales
♓ Blue whales are not only the largest whale species but also the largest mammal species to have ever existed on Earth. The average length of a blue whale is 23-27 meters and its weight range is between 100 and 150 tons.
♓ The name "blue whale" is a misnomer. These whales are not really blue in color but are actually gray. They have huge pleats on the skins of their neck, which allows them to consume a lot of water.
♓ Blue whales feed on krill and while doing so, they consume huge gallons of water along with the food. The water is filtered out by the baleen, which is a comb-like structure present in its throat.
♓ In spite of their enormous size, blue whales can swim at an impressive speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour.
♓ These marine behemoths have a very distinctive way of communicating with each other. They use low frequency sound waves, above 188 decibels, to send sound signals. This is even higher than the sound produced by a jet fighter.
♓ Before the whale hunting era started, blue whales could be spotted in all major oceans. Once, there were more than 200,000 blue whales that swam in the oceans.
♓ The Seas of Canada, North Atlantic Ocean and the seas to the south of Madagascar, are among the most popular regions where blue whales can be spotted nowadays. Other major regions are the Antarctic Ocean and the Davis Strait.
Why are Blue Whales Endangered?
There was a time, when the blue whale was a major animal in every large water body of the world. But the arrival of the whale hunting era, diminished the whale count by such a massive number, that blue whales are still endangered today. The reasons for whaling were multifold. Their large size mistakenly led mariners to believe that such a huge animal could be a deadly threat in the sea. Also, whale blubber and meat were desired products from this oceanic mammal. But early whaling was restricted by primitive tools and whaling techniques. So the damage to whale populations was controllable.
With the advent of powerful harpoon guns, steam-powered boats and the stern slipway in whaling ships, whaling advanced, with more whales being hunted at a rapid rate. In 1931 alone, 29,649 whales were killed. Blue whales also have a slow rate of reproduction. A female blue whale gives birth to one calf, every two years. This means the rate of depletion of the whale's population cannot be countered by a surge in births. By 1966, the International Whaling Commission declared blue whales as protected animals and banned blue whale hunting in international waters. But the number of blue whales remains low due to man's deep-sea activities. Heavy sea traffic causes accidents, where blue whales are injured by ships or cargo vessels. Deep-sea fishing involves using large nets and trawling equipment, in which blue whales can get entangled and drown.
The International Whaling Commission, has taken steps to protect these wonderful creatures. Committees of experts have been formed to work against whaling, entrapment and predation of blue whales. But their population remains low. Recent blue whale statistics indicate between 12,000-15,000 of these ocean-dwellers remain.
Blue Whale Facts
Blue whales are truly majestic giants of the ocean. The enormous size with their contrasting gentle behavior fascinates and entices one and all. Here, we shed light on the physical description, behavior and some interesting facts about these elusive giants.
Blue whales are truly majestic giants of the ocean. The enormous size with their contrasting gentle behavior fascinates and entices one and all. Here, we shed light on the physical description, behavior and some interesting facts about these elusive giants.
The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever lived on
Earth, even bigger than the largest of the dinosaurs. Even the blue
whale calves enter the world already ranking among the planet's largest
creatures. These massive creatures were abundant in all the oceans until
the beginning of the twentieth century, after which they were almost
hunted to extinction by whalers. Thanks to conservation measures the
species has managed to survive and the population is slowly reviving.
Blue whales are classified as ocean mammals and not as a fish as they are warm-blooded. Blue whales have some amount of hair or fur and feed their progeny with milk. They come under the order Cetacea and their biological name is Balaenoptera musculus.
Description
Blue whales have a long, tapered, streamlined body. They look true blue underwater, but on the surface their coloring is more bluish-gray.
The smooth body is almost free of parasites, though there are some barnacles on the tips of the flippers, dorsal fin and the edge of the fluke.
The flippers are short, tapered and are 3 to 4 meters (9.8 to 13 ft) long, the dorsal fin is curved, small and can be up to 12 inches long. The tail flukes are shaped like a triangle, and are broad.
The head makes up about 25% of the body. The head is U-shaped, flat and broad. The front part of the mouth is thick and has fringed plates of fingernail-like material, called baleen. This is used to filter krill when the whale forces out water from the mouth.
From the lower jaw to the navel, there are around 55-68 ventral grooves or pleats.
At any given age, the female is larger than the male.
CLASSIFICATION
Scientific Name: B. musculus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Balaenopteridae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Length and Weight
The length of a full-grown blue whale can go up to 25-30 meters (82-105 feet) and it can weigh up to 180-200 tons (163,293-181,437 kilograms). Blue whales found in the Northern hemisphere are about 75 to 80 feet long. Those in the Southern hemisphere can be about 90 to 100 feet long.
Range and Distribution
Blue whales can be found in all the world's oceans, while there are several distinct populations of blue whales found in the Atlantic and Pacific. Blue whales are shy creatures and, after the whaling era, sightings have become even more rare. However, they are most likely to be spotted around Iceland and off the West coast of USA, where the population has seen an upward trend. On the other hand, the number of blue whales in the Antarctic remains extremely low. Blue whales migrate long distances and prefer warm, low-latitude tropical waters in winters and cooler, high-latitude polar waters in the summers. They are often spotted along Adelaide and Melbourne coasts from January to May each year.
Behavior
Blue whales can be spotted alone or in small groups, but most frequently as a pair.
Considering their enormous size, blue whales are quite fast and strong swimmers. Generally, moving at the speed of about 12 mph. However, when they are alarmed, they can accelerate up to 30 mph.
Blue whales are known to migrate great distances toward the equator from the polar regions as winter approaches and are often spotted off the coasts of California and Mexico. They change their habitat from tropical waters to temperate mainly to reproduce and give birth. They usually spend summers feeding in the polar regions.
Blue whales are among the loudest animals on the planet and are known to vocalize in a singing fashion. They emit a series of pulses, groans, and moans. It is believed that, under ideal conditions, blue whales can communicate over a distance of about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers).
Lifespan and Reproduction
Blue whales reach sexual-maturity between the age of six to ten years. At this age, they generally grow to about 74 to 79 feet in length. Very little is known about their mating behavior.
Females give birth every 2 to 3 years, and the gestation period lasts almost a year.
After spending almost a year inside its mother's womb, a 25 feet (8 meters) long blue whale calf emerges, weighing up to 3 tons (2.7 metric tons). It gorges on nothing but mother's milk and gains about 200 pounds (91 kilograms) every day for its first year.
The average lifespan of blue whales in the wild is around 80-90 years.
Diet
Their primary diet consists small, shrimp-like creatures called euphausiids or krill. An adult blue whale can eat up to 40 million krill in a day.
When feeding, blue whales take in enormous quantity of krill-infested water in their mouth. Instead of teeth, they have baleen plates to filter food, which is majorly krill, plankton and small fish. While the mouth is being closed, water is thrown out of the baleen plates.
There are approximately 320 pairs of baleen plates that are 1 meter long, 53 centimeters wide and weighing 90 kg. The food gets locked near the tongue and is swallowed.
Interesting Facts
The main arteries of a blue whale are wide enough for a small human to swim through.
Although it feeds at a depth of less than 330 feet, it can dive up to 1640 feet. One dive can last anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes.
While this mammal is as huge as a Boeing 737 aircraft, the blue whale's heart weighs as much as a small car.
Blue whale's tongue can weigh two to three tons and it big enough for fifty people to stand on it.
When this creature comes to the surface for air, the water-spout that is released from the blow-hole can reach up to 30 feet.
The sound of a blue whale may reach 188 decibels, making it louder than a jet, which clocks around 140 decibels.
Blue whales are about 1250 times larger than their food (krill), which are on average only 1 or 2 centimeters long.
These graceful swimmers cruise the ocean at more than five miles an hour (eight kilometers an hour), but accelerate to more than 20 miles an hour (32 kilometers an hour) when agitated.
Blue whales are not harmed by any living species other than humans. 99% of whales were killed due to whaling, pushing the species to the brink of extinction. Many efforts have been taken ever since to revive blue whale population and enable this colossal mammal to prosper and regain its pristine glory. Their population is slowing growing, that doesn't mean the threat is over. Even today whaling is carried out illegally, and many whales are killed as a result of oil spills and impact with large ships. Blue whales are currently classified as endangered on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List.
Blue whales are classified as ocean mammals and not as a fish as they are warm-blooded. Blue whales have some amount of hair or fur and feed their progeny with milk. They come under the order Cetacea and their biological name is Balaenoptera musculus.
Description
Blue whales have a long, tapered, streamlined body. They look true blue underwater, but on the surface their coloring is more bluish-gray.
The smooth body is almost free of parasites, though there are some barnacles on the tips of the flippers, dorsal fin and the edge of the fluke.
The flippers are short, tapered and are 3 to 4 meters (9.8 to 13 ft) long, the dorsal fin is curved, small and can be up to 12 inches long. The tail flukes are shaped like a triangle, and are broad.
The head makes up about 25% of the body. The head is U-shaped, flat and broad. The front part of the mouth is thick and has fringed plates of fingernail-like material, called baleen. This is used to filter krill when the whale forces out water from the mouth.
From the lower jaw to the navel, there are around 55-68 ventral grooves or pleats.
At any given age, the female is larger than the male.
CLASSIFICATION
Scientific Name: B. musculus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Balaenopteridae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Length and Weight
The length of a full-grown blue whale can go up to 25-30 meters (82-105 feet) and it can weigh up to 180-200 tons (163,293-181,437 kilograms). Blue whales found in the Northern hemisphere are about 75 to 80 feet long. Those in the Southern hemisphere can be about 90 to 100 feet long.
Range and Distribution
Blue whales can be found in all the world's oceans, while there are several distinct populations of blue whales found in the Atlantic and Pacific. Blue whales are shy creatures and, after the whaling era, sightings have become even more rare. However, they are most likely to be spotted around Iceland and off the West coast of USA, where the population has seen an upward trend. On the other hand, the number of blue whales in the Antarctic remains extremely low. Blue whales migrate long distances and prefer warm, low-latitude tropical waters in winters and cooler, high-latitude polar waters in the summers. They are often spotted along Adelaide and Melbourne coasts from January to May each year.
Behavior
Blue whales can be spotted alone or in small groups, but most frequently as a pair.
Considering their enormous size, blue whales are quite fast and strong swimmers. Generally, moving at the speed of about 12 mph. However, when they are alarmed, they can accelerate up to 30 mph.
Blue whales are known to migrate great distances toward the equator from the polar regions as winter approaches and are often spotted off the coasts of California and Mexico. They change their habitat from tropical waters to temperate mainly to reproduce and give birth. They usually spend summers feeding in the polar regions.
Blue whales are among the loudest animals on the planet and are known to vocalize in a singing fashion. They emit a series of pulses, groans, and moans. It is believed that, under ideal conditions, blue whales can communicate over a distance of about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers).
Lifespan and Reproduction
Blue whales reach sexual-maturity between the age of six to ten years. At this age, they generally grow to about 74 to 79 feet in length. Very little is known about their mating behavior.
Females give birth every 2 to 3 years, and the gestation period lasts almost a year.
After spending almost a year inside its mother's womb, a 25 feet (8 meters) long blue whale calf emerges, weighing up to 3 tons (2.7 metric tons). It gorges on nothing but mother's milk and gains about 200 pounds (91 kilograms) every day for its first year.
The average lifespan of blue whales in the wild is around 80-90 years.
Diet
Their primary diet consists small, shrimp-like creatures called euphausiids or krill. An adult blue whale can eat up to 40 million krill in a day.
When feeding, blue whales take in enormous quantity of krill-infested water in their mouth. Instead of teeth, they have baleen plates to filter food, which is majorly krill, plankton and small fish. While the mouth is being closed, water is thrown out of the baleen plates.
There are approximately 320 pairs of baleen plates that are 1 meter long, 53 centimeters wide and weighing 90 kg. The food gets locked near the tongue and is swallowed.
Interesting Facts
The main arteries of a blue whale are wide enough for a small human to swim through.
Although it feeds at a depth of less than 330 feet, it can dive up to 1640 feet. One dive can last anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes.
While this mammal is as huge as a Boeing 737 aircraft, the blue whale's heart weighs as much as a small car.
Blue whale's tongue can weigh two to three tons and it big enough for fifty people to stand on it.
When this creature comes to the surface for air, the water-spout that is released from the blow-hole can reach up to 30 feet.
The sound of a blue whale may reach 188 decibels, making it louder than a jet, which clocks around 140 decibels.
Blue whales are about 1250 times larger than their food (krill), which are on average only 1 or 2 centimeters long.
These graceful swimmers cruise the ocean at more than five miles an hour (eight kilometers an hour), but accelerate to more than 20 miles an hour (32 kilometers an hour) when agitated.
Blue whales are not harmed by any living species other than humans. 99% of whales were killed due to whaling, pushing the species to the brink of extinction. Many efforts have been taken ever since to revive blue whale population and enable this colossal mammal to prosper and regain its pristine glory. Their population is slowing growing, that doesn't mean the threat is over. Even today whaling is carried out illegally, and many whales are killed as a result of oil spills and impact with large ships. Blue whales are currently classified as endangered on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List.
How do Whales Communicate with Each Other
Whale communication has been highly popularized in the form of 'whale songs', but this is not the only way in which whales communicate with each other. Dive in to this Buzzle article to find out more about how these massive animals communicate with each other.
Whale communication has been highly popularized in the form of 'whale songs', but this is not the only way in which whales communicate with each other. Dive in to this Buzzle article to find out more about how these massive animals communicate with each other.
Whales are the largest creatures on earth. The blue whale, the
largest whale, is actually the largest organism in the history of the
world. These gigantic animals are actually aquatic mammals, which means
they are more closely related to us humans than they are to other fish.
The dark, watery abode of these animals largely negates the senses of sight and smell. However, sound travels faster in water than in air. Thus, many aquatic species have developed the use of echolocation techniques. Whales and dolphins make extensive use of this technique. Whales also use various gestures to communicate with each other. Sounds primarily serve as sonar in toothed whales, and mating calls in baleen whales.
Whales have honed the technique of echolocation and communication through sound over millions of years of evolution. They are so proficient at it that scientists have observed various 'dialects' of whale vocalizations in different groups!
Two types of vocalization is observed in whales. Odontoceti, the toothed whales, do not produce 'whale songs', and converse in short 'clicks' and whistles. Isolated clicks are used for echolocation, while clicks and whistles are grouped together for communicative purposes. The toothless baleen whales generate and are known for the popular whale songs. The mechanism in the two differs slightly.
Odontoceti
Odontoceti, called toothed whales, are a suborder of cetaceans, including toothed whales, such as the sperm whale, as well as dolphins and porpoises. This creates problems in discussions about whales and other cetaceans, since conventionally named 'whales', such as sperm whales and bottlenose whales, are included in the group whales, whereas dolphins and porpoises are excluded and treated as a separate class of organisms.
Odontocetes produce sounds via an organ similar to the nose in humans. Thus, the process can be anatomically likened to humming. Odontocetes have a physical structure, anatomically comparable to the nasal cavity in humans, called phonic lips. When air is passed through the phonic lips, the area around the lips vibrates, creating finely adjustable sounds. These sounds are then transferred to a fatty organ in the forehead called the melon, which directs the sound in the intended direction.
Pods of dolphins are often very 'chatty'. Researchers have noted that dolphin sounds are distinctly distinguishable from each other, but since their meaning is hard to decipher, pods of dolphins often sound like children's chatter on a playground!
Baleen Whales
These huge animals are known for their elaborate communicative and mating calls, known as 'whale songs'. The sound-producing mechanism in baleen whales is not yet clear, although it is believed that, like humans, their larynx is responsible for creating the sounds. But since whales don't have vocal cords and don't exhale while producing sound, this analogy is not completely accurate. Whales are thought to be capable of recycling the air used in sound production.
Baleen whales do use echolocation, but not as extensively as toothed whales. Since their sense of smell is also not as well-developed as predators like sharks, scientists are unclear how baleen whales navigate so accurately on a regular basis.
Some scientists claim that increasing human activity in the oceans is hindering whale communication. Since whales rely extensively on sounds as a mode of communication, these ambient noises are quite harmful to their feeding, navigation, and ultimately survival.
Whales also communicate through several gestures, although this is not their primary mode of communication. Slapping the water with the tail is used to display aggression, and to warn off potential competitors. It is also a tool to scare and herd prey together, making them easier to pick off. Similarly, breaching -- jumping out of the water -- is a display of aggression. Due to whales' massive size, breaching never goes unnoticed.
The world was utterly amazed by whale songs when the behavior first came to light, and some scientists are now even working towards finding if these magnificent creatures have a 'language' of their own.
The dark, watery abode of these animals largely negates the senses of sight and smell. However, sound travels faster in water than in air. Thus, many aquatic species have developed the use of echolocation techniques. Whales and dolphins make extensive use of this technique. Whales also use various gestures to communicate with each other. Sounds primarily serve as sonar in toothed whales, and mating calls in baleen whales.
Whales have honed the technique of echolocation and communication through sound over millions of years of evolution. They are so proficient at it that scientists have observed various 'dialects' of whale vocalizations in different groups!
Two types of vocalization is observed in whales. Odontoceti, the toothed whales, do not produce 'whale songs', and converse in short 'clicks' and whistles. Isolated clicks are used for echolocation, while clicks and whistles are grouped together for communicative purposes. The toothless baleen whales generate and are known for the popular whale songs. The mechanism in the two differs slightly.
Odontoceti
Odontoceti, called toothed whales, are a suborder of cetaceans, including toothed whales, such as the sperm whale, as well as dolphins and porpoises. This creates problems in discussions about whales and other cetaceans, since conventionally named 'whales', such as sperm whales and bottlenose whales, are included in the group whales, whereas dolphins and porpoises are excluded and treated as a separate class of organisms.
Odontocetes produce sounds via an organ similar to the nose in humans. Thus, the process can be anatomically likened to humming. Odontocetes have a physical structure, anatomically comparable to the nasal cavity in humans, called phonic lips. When air is passed through the phonic lips, the area around the lips vibrates, creating finely adjustable sounds. These sounds are then transferred to a fatty organ in the forehead called the melon, which directs the sound in the intended direction.
Pods of dolphins are often very 'chatty'. Researchers have noted that dolphin sounds are distinctly distinguishable from each other, but since their meaning is hard to decipher, pods of dolphins often sound like children's chatter on a playground!
Baleen Whales
These huge animals are known for their elaborate communicative and mating calls, known as 'whale songs'. The sound-producing mechanism in baleen whales is not yet clear, although it is believed that, like humans, their larynx is responsible for creating the sounds. But since whales don't have vocal cords and don't exhale while producing sound, this analogy is not completely accurate. Whales are thought to be capable of recycling the air used in sound production.
Baleen whales do use echolocation, but not as extensively as toothed whales. Since their sense of smell is also not as well-developed as predators like sharks, scientists are unclear how baleen whales navigate so accurately on a regular basis.
Some scientists claim that increasing human activity in the oceans is hindering whale communication. Since whales rely extensively on sounds as a mode of communication, these ambient noises are quite harmful to their feeding, navigation, and ultimately survival.
Whales also communicate through several gestures, although this is not their primary mode of communication. Slapping the water with the tail is used to display aggression, and to warn off potential competitors. It is also a tool to scare and herd prey together, making them easier to pick off. Similarly, breaching -- jumping out of the water -- is a display of aggression. Due to whales' massive size, breaching never goes unnoticed.
The world was utterly amazed by whale songs when the behavior first came to light, and some scientists are now even working towards finding if these magnificent creatures have a 'language' of their own.
Humpback Whale Habitat
A concise write-up on the habitat of humpback whales, which also covers one of the most fascinating attributes of their life -- their migration from the polar waters to the tropics, and back.
A concise write-up on the habitat of humpback whales, which also covers one of the most fascinating attributes of their life -- their migration from the polar waters to the tropics, and back.
Humpback whales are known for their long migratory journeys,
averaging somewhere around 3000 miles. In a particular instance, a
humpback whale covered 6,200 miles -- from the coast of Brazil to
Madagascar in 2010 -- to set a new record for the longest recorded
migration of any mammal. If these whales are able to migrate over such
large distances, it's partly because of the large habitat that they
boast of.
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are typically characterized by their knobby head and extra-long pectoral fins. At 39-52 ft., and weighing approximately 30-40 tons, they are quite huge in themselves; and yet they can give our acrobats a run for their money. These whales are known to pull off some astounding maneuvers, and are often seen breaching and slapping the water. Owing to these very acrobatic skills, humpback whales have become quite popular among whale-watching enthusiasts across the world.
Habitat of Humpback Whales
Humpback whales geographical range
The global distribution of humpback whales
Humpback whales are found in all the oceans of the world. In fact, they boast of being one of the Earth's most widespread species, with their geographical range spanning both, the polar and tropical waters on the planet. Humpback whale habitat can be broadly divided into two parts -- the feeding grounds in the polar areas and the breeding grounds in the tropics.
With a habitat of that size, it isn't surprising that migration is one of the most important attributes of their life. In winter, humpback whales migrate for thousands of miles from the cold regions of the Arctic and Antarctic to the warm tropical areas in the lower latitudes -- mainly for the purpose of breeding. In summer, they return to the feeding grounds in the higher latitudes wherein food is available in plenty.
Humpback whales prefer near-shore areas for breeding and feeding, which, in turn, makes them vulnerable to numerous threats, including whaling and collisions with plying vessels. At present, the humpback population is estimated to be around 80,000, which has been a decent rise from the near-extinct status that they were battling a few decades ago. In the United States, Hawaiian off-shore is the only breeding ground for this species. It is estimated that somewhere around 4000 to 5000 humpbacks migrate to this region for mating and calving every year.
Humpback Whale Migration
Humpback whales migration
The migration pattern of humpback whales
Migration of humpbacks is one of the longest migrations in kingdom Animalia and that, like we said before, can be attributed to their vast habitat spanning several oceans and seas. Humpbacks from the freezing waters of Antarctica migrate north to relatively warm tropical and subtropical waters to give birth to their calves. Similarly, the humpbacks from the Arctic ocean migrate south towards the tropics. Although both the populations mate in same waters, there is no crossbreeding between the two owing to the difference of six months between the northward and southward convergences on tropical waters.
During the breeding phase between winter and spring, the humpbacks live in the warm tropical waters for 4-5 months. Journey back to the original habitat is a tedious task as they are accompanied by their young ones, and hence forced to swim close to shore. From the human point of view, this opens a totally new avenue referred to as 'whale watching' in the tourism industry. For the whales though, it's a fight for survival trying to save their young ones from the predators and, at the same time, save themselves from human onslaught.
Know the Humpback Better
humpback tail
» At 40 ft, an adult humpback whale is as big as a typical school bus in the United States. In fact, the brain of the humpback is 7 times heavier than the human brain.
» Adult humpbacks go without food in course of migration, which can last for around 5 months, and rely solely on their fat reserves to fulfill their energy requirements.
» The 5-meter long humpback whale calf weighs around 1.5 tons at birth, drinks 240 liters of milk, and puts on approximately 130 lbs every day.
» The humpback males produce a pattern of regular and predictable sounds that is generally referred to as 'whale song'. It is believed to be the longest song in the animal kingdom.
» Thanks to all those conservation measures, the number of humpbacks migrating from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef has increased from a few hundreds in 1960s to well in excess of 3500 today.
Like the other species of whales, even humpbacks have to fight for their basic survival. While the young calves are threatened by predators of the sea, full-grown whales fall prey to the multi-million dollar whaling industry. A few decades ago, humpback whales had reached the brink of extinction, but conservation measures initiated by the authorities contributed to their revival. In 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature changed the status of humpback whales from Vulnerable to Least Concerned species.
Having said that, the humpback whales, or the other species of whales for that matter, are far from safe as of today. Illegal whaling industry continues to flourish in the dark, killing hundreds of whales for sheer monetary gains. As long as such culling of whales continues, the chances of their survival will always be under the scanner.
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are typically characterized by their knobby head and extra-long pectoral fins. At 39-52 ft., and weighing approximately 30-40 tons, they are quite huge in themselves; and yet they can give our acrobats a run for their money. These whales are known to pull off some astounding maneuvers, and are often seen breaching and slapping the water. Owing to these very acrobatic skills, humpback whales have become quite popular among whale-watching enthusiasts across the world.
Habitat of Humpback Whales
Humpback whales geographical range
The global distribution of humpback whales
Humpback whales are found in all the oceans of the world. In fact, they boast of being one of the Earth's most widespread species, with their geographical range spanning both, the polar and tropical waters on the planet. Humpback whale habitat can be broadly divided into two parts -- the feeding grounds in the polar areas and the breeding grounds in the tropics.
With a habitat of that size, it isn't surprising that migration is one of the most important attributes of their life. In winter, humpback whales migrate for thousands of miles from the cold regions of the Arctic and Antarctic to the warm tropical areas in the lower latitudes -- mainly for the purpose of breeding. In summer, they return to the feeding grounds in the higher latitudes wherein food is available in plenty.
Humpback whales prefer near-shore areas for breeding and feeding, which, in turn, makes them vulnerable to numerous threats, including whaling and collisions with plying vessels. At present, the humpback population is estimated to be around 80,000, which has been a decent rise from the near-extinct status that they were battling a few decades ago. In the United States, Hawaiian off-shore is the only breeding ground for this species. It is estimated that somewhere around 4000 to 5000 humpbacks migrate to this region for mating and calving every year.
Humpback Whale Migration
Humpback whales migration
The migration pattern of humpback whales
Migration of humpbacks is one of the longest migrations in kingdom Animalia and that, like we said before, can be attributed to their vast habitat spanning several oceans and seas. Humpbacks from the freezing waters of Antarctica migrate north to relatively warm tropical and subtropical waters to give birth to their calves. Similarly, the humpbacks from the Arctic ocean migrate south towards the tropics. Although both the populations mate in same waters, there is no crossbreeding between the two owing to the difference of six months between the northward and southward convergences on tropical waters.
During the breeding phase between winter and spring, the humpbacks live in the warm tropical waters for 4-5 months. Journey back to the original habitat is a tedious task as they are accompanied by their young ones, and hence forced to swim close to shore. From the human point of view, this opens a totally new avenue referred to as 'whale watching' in the tourism industry. For the whales though, it's a fight for survival trying to save their young ones from the predators and, at the same time, save themselves from human onslaught.
Know the Humpback Better
humpback tail
» At 40 ft, an adult humpback whale is as big as a typical school bus in the United States. In fact, the brain of the humpback is 7 times heavier than the human brain.
» Adult humpbacks go without food in course of migration, which can last for around 5 months, and rely solely on their fat reserves to fulfill their energy requirements.
» The 5-meter long humpback whale calf weighs around 1.5 tons at birth, drinks 240 liters of milk, and puts on approximately 130 lbs every day.
» The humpback males produce a pattern of regular and predictable sounds that is generally referred to as 'whale song'. It is believed to be the longest song in the animal kingdom.
» Thanks to all those conservation measures, the number of humpbacks migrating from Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef has increased from a few hundreds in 1960s to well in excess of 3500 today.
Like the other species of whales, even humpbacks have to fight for their basic survival. While the young calves are threatened by predators of the sea, full-grown whales fall prey to the multi-million dollar whaling industry. A few decades ago, humpback whales had reached the brink of extinction, but conservation measures initiated by the authorities contributed to their revival. In 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature changed the status of humpback whales from Vulnerable to Least Concerned species.
Having said that, the humpback whales, or the other species of whales for that matter, are far from safe as of today. Illegal whaling industry continues to flourish in the dark, killing hundreds of whales for sheer monetary gains. As long as such culling of whales continues, the chances of their survival will always be under the scanner.
Humpback Whale Migration
The longest and the heaviest of whales, the humpback whales, are a sight to watch as they slap the water with their flippers and disappear into the deep ocean. The migration of these whales is a very well-known fact and many take interest to witness it. Let's learn more about it.
The longest and the heaviest of whales, the humpback whales, are a sight to watch as they slap the water with their flippers and disappear into the deep ocean. The migration of these whales is a very well-known fact and many take interest to witness it. Let's learn more about it.
This magnificent whale is found swimming in both the hemispheres
and makes an interesting subject to study for many researchers and
scientists. These whales are among the baleen whale species and are 50
feet long carrying around 30 to 40 tons of weight. Their yearly
migration of 25,000 kilometers and melodious cries have made them very
popular and their migration process has become one of the greatest
attractions for people around the world. As these are among the most
fascinating marine creatures, they remain targets of the whaling
industry, which has drastically brought down their number. Even getting
hit by the ships, tangled in fishing nets, and oil leakages have
resulted in the reduction in the population of these whales.
These whales derive their names from their big humps and black dorsal fins. Tubercles, also called hair follicles, cover the head and the lower jaw of the whale. One of the amusing facts of these whales is that they have unique patterns on their pictorial fins which can make identification for each whale easy. They have around 270 - 400 baleen plates, which measure around 18 inches. As the whale surfaces to breathe it blows out water 10-20 feet high. The calves are as long as their mother's head, which is around 20 foot and weigh around 2 tons.
Migration Process
The habitat of these whales keeps changing as they can easily adapt to different temperatures. Migration happens due to many reasons. With the approach of winter they turn towards temperate waters for breeding purposes and that's when they travel several kilometers together. Every year many humpbacks travel to different waters as per their need. Pregnant females usually travel to warmer water areas in order to build up their blubber reserves to provide nutrition for their unborn calf. Even females that have given birth a few days prior, travel to regain their energy levels. The other type of humpbacks are young ones that are not ready to migrate, but are usually accompanied by grown up males and females to the Caribbean in order to mate.
Some humpbacks refuse to migrate due to plenty of food available where they are already dwelling. After being in the Caribbean these whales then head to different feeding grounds. Some common places these whales go to are Gulf of St. Lawrence, Gulf of Maine, Newfoundland-Labrador and Iceland. Some whales return to the same region they migrated from.
Some whales migrate from the Brazilian and African coasts to the southern ocean, while some prefer quieter water areas and migrate to the Hawaiian Islands. Many pregnant females who are approaching the end of their gestation period, come to the Hawaiian Islands to give birth. Later they often travel to southeastern Alaska.
More Facts
The gestation period for these whales lasts up to 11 to 12 months. They breed once in two or three years. As the female humpbacks migrate to warmer waters, it is a tedious task to return to the original place as they mainly have to travel with their newborn calves. To safeguard their young ones, the humpbacks have to swim close to the coasts. Whales are believed to live up to 50-60 years. Humpbacks prefer to live alone, but for the sake of feeding, they mainly live together for certain period of time.
The courtship is an amazing and intriguing sight. The process of courtship begins sometime in winter. A group of around twenty males gather around a female and try their luck with the female. Spy hopping, tail and fin slapping and breaching are certain gestures that the male tries to flaunt to attract the female. Even the most talked about humpback song plays a vital role in courtship. The long song of the humpbacks lasts up to 10-20 minutes and involves different sounds in one long cry. As per the research these whales are also known to produce grunts, barks, groans and snorts.
The whale migration has pulled many spectators towards them. However, these frequent whale touring has disturbed the habitats of these charismatic whales. As the young ones are becoming the victims of their predators, the bigger whales have to struggle for their survival. It is important to take necessary steps to save these marine creature as they would soon reach the verge of extinction.
These whales derive their names from their big humps and black dorsal fins. Tubercles, also called hair follicles, cover the head and the lower jaw of the whale. One of the amusing facts of these whales is that they have unique patterns on their pictorial fins which can make identification for each whale easy. They have around 270 - 400 baleen plates, which measure around 18 inches. As the whale surfaces to breathe it blows out water 10-20 feet high. The calves are as long as their mother's head, which is around 20 foot and weigh around 2 tons.
Migration Process
The habitat of these whales keeps changing as they can easily adapt to different temperatures. Migration happens due to many reasons. With the approach of winter they turn towards temperate waters for breeding purposes and that's when they travel several kilometers together. Every year many humpbacks travel to different waters as per their need. Pregnant females usually travel to warmer water areas in order to build up their blubber reserves to provide nutrition for their unborn calf. Even females that have given birth a few days prior, travel to regain their energy levels. The other type of humpbacks are young ones that are not ready to migrate, but are usually accompanied by grown up males and females to the Caribbean in order to mate.
Some humpbacks refuse to migrate due to plenty of food available where they are already dwelling. After being in the Caribbean these whales then head to different feeding grounds. Some common places these whales go to are Gulf of St. Lawrence, Gulf of Maine, Newfoundland-Labrador and Iceland. Some whales return to the same region they migrated from.
Some whales migrate from the Brazilian and African coasts to the southern ocean, while some prefer quieter water areas and migrate to the Hawaiian Islands. Many pregnant females who are approaching the end of their gestation period, come to the Hawaiian Islands to give birth. Later they often travel to southeastern Alaska.
More Facts
The gestation period for these whales lasts up to 11 to 12 months. They breed once in two or three years. As the female humpbacks migrate to warmer waters, it is a tedious task to return to the original place as they mainly have to travel with their newborn calves. To safeguard their young ones, the humpbacks have to swim close to the coasts. Whales are believed to live up to 50-60 years. Humpbacks prefer to live alone, but for the sake of feeding, they mainly live together for certain period of time.
The courtship is an amazing and intriguing sight. The process of courtship begins sometime in winter. A group of around twenty males gather around a female and try their luck with the female. Spy hopping, tail and fin slapping and breaching are certain gestures that the male tries to flaunt to attract the female. Even the most talked about humpback song plays a vital role in courtship. The long song of the humpbacks lasts up to 10-20 minutes and involves different sounds in one long cry. As per the research these whales are also known to produce grunts, barks, groans and snorts.
The whale migration has pulled many spectators towards them. However, these frequent whale touring has disturbed the habitats of these charismatic whales. As the young ones are becoming the victims of their predators, the bigger whales have to struggle for their survival. It is important to take necessary steps to save these marine creature as they would soon reach the verge of extinction.
Gray Whale Facts
There are plenty of fascinating facts about gray whales to be aware of. It would definitely be fun and interesting to read this article about gray whale facts, just as it was interesting for me to jot it all down for you. Keep reading.
There are plenty of fascinating facts about gray whales to be aware of. It would definitely be fun and interesting to read this article about gray whale facts, just as it was interesting for me to jot it all down for you. Keep reading.
This magnificent whale is found swimming in both the hemispheres
and makes an interesting subject to study for many researchers and
scientists. These whales are among the baleen whale species and are 50
feet long carrying around 30 to 40 tons of weight. Their yearly
migration of 25,000 kilometers and melodious cries have made them very
popular and their migration process has become one of the greatest
attractions for people around the world. As these are among the most
fascinating marine creatures, they remain targets of the whaling
industry, which has drastically brought down their number. Even getting
hit by the ships, tangled in fishing nets, and oil leakages have
resulted in the reduction in the population of these whales.
These whales derive their names from their big humps and black dorsal fins. Tubercles, also called hair follicles, cover the head and the lower jaw of the whale. One of the amusing facts of these whales is that they have unique patterns on their pictorial fins which can make identification for each whale easy. They have around 270 - 400 baleen plates, which measure around 18 inches. As the whale surfaces to breathe it blows out water 10-20 feet high. The calves are as long as their mother's head, which is around 20 foot and weigh around 2 tons.
Migration Process
The habitat of these whales keeps changing as they can easily adapt to different temperatures. Migration happens due to many reasons. With the approach of winter they turn towards temperate waters for breeding purposes and that's when they travel several kilometers together. Every year many humpbacks travel to different waters as per their need. Pregnant females usually travel to warmer water areas in order to build up their blubber reserves to provide nutrition for their unborn calf. Even females that have given birth a few days prior, travel to regain their energy levels. The other type of humpbacks are young ones that are not ready to migrate, but are usually accompanied by grown up males and females to the Caribbean in order to mate.
Some humpbacks refuse to migrate due to plenty of food available where they are already dwelling. After being in the Caribbean these whales then head to different feeding grounds. Some common places these whales go to are Gulf of St. Lawrence, Gulf of Maine, Newfoundland-Labrador and Iceland. Some whales return to the same region they migrated from.
Some whales migrate from the Brazilian and African coasts to the southern ocean, while some prefer quieter water areas and migrate to the Hawaiian Islands. Many pregnant females who are approaching the end of their gestation period, come to the Hawaiian Islands to give birth. Later they often travel to southeastern Alaska.
More Facts
The gestation period for these whales lasts up to 11 to 12 months. They breed once in two or three years. As the female humpbacks migrate to warmer waters, it is a tedious task to return to the original place as they mainly have to travel with their newborn calves. To safeguard their young ones, the humpbacks have to swim close to the coasts. Whales are believed to live up to 50-60 years. Humpbacks prefer to live alone, but for the sake of feeding, they mainly live together for certain period of time.
The courtship is an amazing and intriguing sight. The process of courtship begins sometime in winter. A group of around twenty males gather around a female and try their luck with the female. Spy hopping, tail and fin slapping and breaching are certain gestures that the male tries to flaunt to attract the female. Even the most talked about humpback song plays a vital role in courtship. The long song of the humpbacks lasts up to 10-20 minutes and involves different sounds in one long cry. As per the research these whales are also known to produce grunts, barks, groans and snorts.
The whale migration has pulled many spectators towards them. However, these frequent whale touring has disturbed the habitats of these charismatic whales. As the young ones are becoming the victims of their predators, the bigger whales have to struggle for their survival. It is important to take necessary steps to save these marine creature as they would soon reach the verge of extinction
These whales derive their names from their big humps and black dorsal fins. Tubercles, also called hair follicles, cover the head and the lower jaw of the whale. One of the amusing facts of these whales is that they have unique patterns on their pictorial fins which can make identification for each whale easy. They have around 270 - 400 baleen plates, which measure around 18 inches. As the whale surfaces to breathe it blows out water 10-20 feet high. The calves are as long as their mother's head, which is around 20 foot and weigh around 2 tons.
Migration Process
The habitat of these whales keeps changing as they can easily adapt to different temperatures. Migration happens due to many reasons. With the approach of winter they turn towards temperate waters for breeding purposes and that's when they travel several kilometers together. Every year many humpbacks travel to different waters as per their need. Pregnant females usually travel to warmer water areas in order to build up their blubber reserves to provide nutrition for their unborn calf. Even females that have given birth a few days prior, travel to regain their energy levels. The other type of humpbacks are young ones that are not ready to migrate, but are usually accompanied by grown up males and females to the Caribbean in order to mate.
Some humpbacks refuse to migrate due to plenty of food available where they are already dwelling. After being in the Caribbean these whales then head to different feeding grounds. Some common places these whales go to are Gulf of St. Lawrence, Gulf of Maine, Newfoundland-Labrador and Iceland. Some whales return to the same region they migrated from.
Some whales migrate from the Brazilian and African coasts to the southern ocean, while some prefer quieter water areas and migrate to the Hawaiian Islands. Many pregnant females who are approaching the end of their gestation period, come to the Hawaiian Islands to give birth. Later they often travel to southeastern Alaska.
More Facts
The gestation period for these whales lasts up to 11 to 12 months. They breed once in two or three years. As the female humpbacks migrate to warmer waters, it is a tedious task to return to the original place as they mainly have to travel with their newborn calves. To safeguard their young ones, the humpbacks have to swim close to the coasts. Whales are believed to live up to 50-60 years. Humpbacks prefer to live alone, but for the sake of feeding, they mainly live together for certain period of time.
The courtship is an amazing and intriguing sight. The process of courtship begins sometime in winter. A group of around twenty males gather around a female and try their luck with the female. Spy hopping, tail and fin slapping and breaching are certain gestures that the male tries to flaunt to attract the female. Even the most talked about humpback song plays a vital role in courtship. The long song of the humpbacks lasts up to 10-20 minutes and involves different sounds in one long cry. As per the research these whales are also known to produce grunts, barks, groans and snorts.
The whale migration has pulled many spectators towards them. However, these frequent whale touring has disturbed the habitats of these charismatic whales. As the young ones are becoming the victims of their predators, the bigger whales have to struggle for their survival. It is important to take necessary steps to save these marine creature as they would soon reach the verge of extinction
Gray Whale Facts
There are plenty of fascinating facts about gray whales to be aware of. It would definitely be fun and interesting to read this article about gray whale facts, just as it was interesting for me to jot it all down for you. Keep reading.
There are plenty of fascinating facts about gray whales to be aware of. It would definitely be fun and interesting to read this article about gray whale facts, just as it was interesting for me to jot it all down for you. Keep reading.
Whales are usually considered as the largest mammals in the world;
even the smallest whale is about 9 feet long and weighs around 300
pounds. Whoa! These species are interesting indeed. To begin with, there
are two kinds of whales: baleen and toothed whales. Baleen whales have a
comb-like fringe that is used to filter small prey from a large
mouthful of seawater and other materials. They are considered to be the
largest species of whale. The other type, toothed whales, as the name
suggests, have teeth and prey on other aquatic animals. Gray whales fall
in to the former category.
Gray Whale Facts and Information
How do you identify a gray whale?
Gray whales belongs to the baleen family, hence they have baleen or whalebone instead of teeth. This is a distinct feature of the gray whale. They are easily identified due to their characteristic features like gray-white blotchy spots on their skin. They usually weigh around 36-40 tons and reach a length of about 52-54 feet. They also have whiskers just near their mouth, to sense what is happening around them. They have a layer of fat beneath their skin called blubber, which serves as an energy reservoir and also insulates their body. Another feature of this species is that they have two blow holes on top of their head, that helps them to breathe even if they remain submerged water. Although most whales have a dorsal fin, the gray whale lacks it, and instead, has forelimbs and a tail fin that facilitates its movement in water.
What does a gray whale's diet consist of?
Gray whales usually are carnivorous and bottom feeders. They sieve the mud of the ocean floor, filter out small crustaceans, plankton, and mollusks and eat them by turning on its right side. The water and mud that was taken in, is then forced out through the baleen, using its extra-large tongue. The whale does not chew its food, but swallows since it has no teeth. Gray whales, during migration and other times of the year, eat very less. They get their daily supplement of energy from the thick layer of blubber.
How do gray whales communicate with each other?
Did you know that gray whales communicate amongst themselves? Well... apparently they do and trust me, I was just as surprised as you are now, to learn this gray whale fact. They make whistling sounds, grunts and clicks to communicate with each other.
Are gray whales friendly?
Gray whales are fierce and defensive, as far as their behavior is concerned. They were once tagged as devil-fish due to their violent behavior when hunted. Surely, you have guessed that these kinds of whales are not friendly.
How do gray whales reproduce?
The reproduction process of gray whales is supposed to be complex, yet interesting. The female whales reproduce twice in a year. Their breeding behavior is complicated and often involves more than two of them. When a female gray whale breeds with two or more male gray whales the chances of conception are higher. The newborn gray whale measures 16 feet in length and weighs up to 1500 pounds.
Are we doing anything to protect these rare species?
Just like humans, gray whales are sometimes hunted by killer whales as well. It has been listed as one of the endangered species amongst many others. Therefore, there is a set quota for hunting these gray whales per year. If these efforts pay off and if the government is successful in conserving these unique species, there are hopes that gray whales would be taken off the endangered list within 5 years.
Other interesting gray whale facts...
Did you know that gray whales live for 50-70 years.
Baby gray whales drink up to 50-70 gallons of mothers milk per day.
They have an unusual way of signaling of danger nearby, they thrust their tail-fin out of the water and slap the water's surface!
The whalebone or baleen was once upon a time used to make ladies corsets.
Whales cannot sleep for long hours, as they need to be conscious to reach the sea's surface in order to breathe.
As you see, these are plenty of interesting gray whale facts gathered for you. It is definitely interesting and enjoyable to learn about these amazing creatures and enhance our knowledge about them.
Gray Whale Facts and Information
How do you identify a gray whale?
Gray whales belongs to the baleen family, hence they have baleen or whalebone instead of teeth. This is a distinct feature of the gray whale. They are easily identified due to their characteristic features like gray-white blotchy spots on their skin. They usually weigh around 36-40 tons and reach a length of about 52-54 feet. They also have whiskers just near their mouth, to sense what is happening around them. They have a layer of fat beneath their skin called blubber, which serves as an energy reservoir and also insulates their body. Another feature of this species is that they have two blow holes on top of their head, that helps them to breathe even if they remain submerged water. Although most whales have a dorsal fin, the gray whale lacks it, and instead, has forelimbs and a tail fin that facilitates its movement in water.
What does a gray whale's diet consist of?
Gray whales usually are carnivorous and bottom feeders. They sieve the mud of the ocean floor, filter out small crustaceans, plankton, and mollusks and eat them by turning on its right side. The water and mud that was taken in, is then forced out through the baleen, using its extra-large tongue. The whale does not chew its food, but swallows since it has no teeth. Gray whales, during migration and other times of the year, eat very less. They get their daily supplement of energy from the thick layer of blubber.
How do gray whales communicate with each other?
Did you know that gray whales communicate amongst themselves? Well... apparently they do and trust me, I was just as surprised as you are now, to learn this gray whale fact. They make whistling sounds, grunts and clicks to communicate with each other.
Are gray whales friendly?
Gray whales are fierce and defensive, as far as their behavior is concerned. They were once tagged as devil-fish due to their violent behavior when hunted. Surely, you have guessed that these kinds of whales are not friendly.
How do gray whales reproduce?
The reproduction process of gray whales is supposed to be complex, yet interesting. The female whales reproduce twice in a year. Their breeding behavior is complicated and often involves more than two of them. When a female gray whale breeds with two or more male gray whales the chances of conception are higher. The newborn gray whale measures 16 feet in length and weighs up to 1500 pounds.
Are we doing anything to protect these rare species?
Just like humans, gray whales are sometimes hunted by killer whales as well. It has been listed as one of the endangered species amongst many others. Therefore, there is a set quota for hunting these gray whales per year. If these efforts pay off and if the government is successful in conserving these unique species, there are hopes that gray whales would be taken off the endangered list within 5 years.
Other interesting gray whale facts...
Did you know that gray whales live for 50-70 years.
Baby gray whales drink up to 50-70 gallons of mothers milk per day.
They have an unusual way of signaling of danger nearby, they thrust their tail-fin out of the water and slap the water's surface!
The whalebone or baleen was once upon a time used to make ladies corsets.
Whales cannot sleep for long hours, as they need to be conscious to reach the sea's surface in order to breathe.
As you see, these are plenty of interesting gray whale facts gathered for you. It is definitely interesting and enjoyable to learn about these amazing creatures and enhance our knowledge about them.
Where do Blue Whales Live?
Human infiltration into the territory of blue whales, has almost driven them to the verge of extinction. These beautiful, massive and amazing creatures now inhabit only a small part of the oceans. Scroll below to learn where these magnificent ocean titans reside.
Human infiltration into the territory of blue whales, has almost driven them to the verge of extinction. These beautiful, massive and amazing creatures now inhabit only a small part of the oceans. Scroll below to learn where these magnificent ocean titans reside.
In nature, size is not an indication of temperament. The largest
animals can be the gentlest of creatures and the reverse is also true.
In this article, we take a look at one of nature's largest sea-dwelling
members, the blue whale and where it resides in oceans around the world.
Blue Whale Habitat
The blue whale is an oceanic animal, preferring deep waters in the middle of the ocean to coastal waters. They reside in temperate and cold water regions. As such, they can be found in all large water bodies of the world, which include the Pacific Ocean, Antarctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately due to hunting and man's marine activities, these gentle giants have decreased in population and are rarely seen in some water bodies.
In the Northern Hemisphere of the world, they are seen in the northeast parts of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to Costa Rica. They can migrate towards the northwest region of the Pacific Ocean, towards Japan, but their sightings in this region are rare. Blue whales can also be found in the North Atlantic Ocean, in the waters near Greenland, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
In the Southern Hemisphere, their presence is rare and their population is low. The Antarctic Ocean was the location for a large number of blue whales. But after whale hunting started in the 1960s, their numbers dwindled heavily. Small populations reside mainly in the Antarctic Ocean and in some parts of the Indian Ocean. They are rarely, if ever, seen in the Bering Sea or the Gulf of Alaska.
Their occurrence in particular locations can depend on season. These whales feed heavily during the summer in polar waters, and can be found near the Channel Islands, Monterrey Bay, and the Farallon Islands. As winter approaches, they will travel a great distance towards warmer temperatures, by moving towards regions near the Equator, such as along Mexico and Costa Rica.
Fact File of the Blue Whale
Scientific name Balaenoptera musculus Suborder Mysticeti
Length Between 82 to 105 feet Weight Up to 200 tons
Color Spotted bluish-gray with yellowish underbelly Speed 5 miles an hour
Life span Between 80-90 years Estimated population 5000-12000 (2002 survey)
Interesting Tidbits about the Blue Whale
This whale has many laurels based on its size. It is the largest mammal on Earth, the largest animal to have ever lived and still live on Earth and some of its body parts are truly ginormous. Its heart is as big as a car and its tongue alone weighs 2.7 tons, equivalent to a full-grown elephant!
The blue whale has no teeth. Rather, its mouth is fitted with large plates called baleen. It feeds by filtering krill (tiny marine invertebrates) from ocean water, by passing water through these plates. This feeding mechanism allows the whale to eat as it moves. On an average, they will consume 4-8 tons of krill a day.
Even the biggest animal in the ocean has an enemy and that is Man. With harpoon guns and fast ships, humans have seriously depleted their population in the ocean.
Orcas or killer whales are the only animals that will attack blue whales. They rarely target adults but instead, form groups and try to harm calves and juvenile blue whales.
Aside from being the largest animals, they are also the loudest. They talk to each other using whistles, moans and groans at 188 decibels, a sound range louder than a jet plane! Their vocalizations can be heard at a distance of 1000 miles away from the whale.
It is difficult to say how many of these majestic denizens of the deep blue are left in the world. It is hard to track and count their population. They also have a low rate of growth, with females giving birth to just one calf in 2-3 years. And while legal and illegal whaling of the blue whale has been banned, there are other man-made threats. Global warming, polluted oceans, changing ocean temperatures and fishing threaten their population in the oceans, today.
Blue Whale Habitat
The blue whale is an oceanic animal, preferring deep waters in the middle of the ocean to coastal waters. They reside in temperate and cold water regions. As such, they can be found in all large water bodies of the world, which include the Pacific Ocean, Antarctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately due to hunting and man's marine activities, these gentle giants have decreased in population and are rarely seen in some water bodies.
In the Northern Hemisphere of the world, they are seen in the northeast parts of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to Costa Rica. They can migrate towards the northwest region of the Pacific Ocean, towards Japan, but their sightings in this region are rare. Blue whales can also be found in the North Atlantic Ocean, in the waters near Greenland, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
In the Southern Hemisphere, their presence is rare and their population is low. The Antarctic Ocean was the location for a large number of blue whales. But after whale hunting started in the 1960s, their numbers dwindled heavily. Small populations reside mainly in the Antarctic Ocean and in some parts of the Indian Ocean. They are rarely, if ever, seen in the Bering Sea or the Gulf of Alaska.
Their occurrence in particular locations can depend on season. These whales feed heavily during the summer in polar waters, and can be found near the Channel Islands, Monterrey Bay, and the Farallon Islands. As winter approaches, they will travel a great distance towards warmer temperatures, by moving towards regions near the Equator, such as along Mexico and Costa Rica.
Fact File of the Blue Whale
Scientific name Balaenoptera musculus Suborder Mysticeti
Length Between 82 to 105 feet Weight Up to 200 tons
Color Spotted bluish-gray with yellowish underbelly Speed 5 miles an hour
Life span Between 80-90 years Estimated population 5000-12000 (2002 survey)
Interesting Tidbits about the Blue Whale
This whale has many laurels based on its size. It is the largest mammal on Earth, the largest animal to have ever lived and still live on Earth and some of its body parts are truly ginormous. Its heart is as big as a car and its tongue alone weighs 2.7 tons, equivalent to a full-grown elephant!
The blue whale has no teeth. Rather, its mouth is fitted with large plates called baleen. It feeds by filtering krill (tiny marine invertebrates) from ocean water, by passing water through these plates. This feeding mechanism allows the whale to eat as it moves. On an average, they will consume 4-8 tons of krill a day.
Even the biggest animal in the ocean has an enemy and that is Man. With harpoon guns and fast ships, humans have seriously depleted their population in the ocean.
Orcas or killer whales are the only animals that will attack blue whales. They rarely target adults but instead, form groups and try to harm calves and juvenile blue whales.
Aside from being the largest animals, they are also the loudest. They talk to each other using whistles, moans and groans at 188 decibels, a sound range louder than a jet plane! Their vocalizations can be heard at a distance of 1000 miles away from the whale.
It is difficult to say how many of these majestic denizens of the deep blue are left in the world. It is hard to track and count their population. They also have a low rate of growth, with females giving birth to just one calf in 2-3 years. And while legal and illegal whaling of the blue whale has been banned, there are other man-made threats. Global warming, polluted oceans, changing ocean temperatures and fishing threaten their population in the oceans, today.
Different Types of Whales
Since time immemorial, whales have always fascinated us. There is no denying the sheer size of these beautiful mammals. Learn about the types of whales and their different species in this article.
Whales are mammals (not fish) and are found in all the oceans of
the world. They are most numerous in the Arctic region and Antarctica as
they prefer cooler and deeper waters. They are also spotted along the
eastern coast of the U.S. There have also been rare sightings in warm
waters in Hawaii, Bahamas and The Gulf of Mexico. One even swam some 110
mi. up the Columbia River, just to eat fish. Their seasonal movement is
mostly influenced by the migration of fish, other aquatic preys, and
pack ice. There are different types of whales -- some are extinct while
others are endangered.
Types of Whales
Whales are classified under the order Cetacea, and there are about 84 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in this order. Cetacea is further divided into two suborders: Odontocetes (toothed whale) and Mysticetes (baleen whales). There are several characteristics that differentiate the two types of whales, which include their diet, social structure, and physical appearance.
Baleen Whales
Also called great whales, they are characterized by having baleen plates for filtering food from water, rather than having teeth. Filter feeding is a method in which they swim with their mouth open and allow prey, such as fish to get caught and stuck in their baleen plates. Their diet mainly comprises krill and plankton. They are comparatively larger than toothed whales and possess two blowholes. Baleen whale species include the gray whale, humpback whale, blue whale, minke whale, right whale, and fin whale.
Toothed Whales
Toothed whales, as the name suggests, are characterized by the presence of teeth rather than baleen. They have a single blowhole on the top of their head. They also tend to have much larger and more sophisticated social structures as compared to baleen whales. They hunt for larger preys, like sea lions, squids, and even smaller whales. Toothed whales include the Orca (killer whale), sperm whale, and beluga whale. Dolphins and porpoises, too, fall under this category.
*Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Popular Whale Species
blue whale
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever existed. It is also the loudest animal in the world. Adult female ones are larger than adult males in size. The length of a full-grown blue whale can go up to 82-105 feet and may weigh up to 180-200 tons. It looks true blue underwater, but on the surface they appear close to mottled blue-gray in color. Despite their gigantic size, they are shy creatures, and after the whaling era, their sightings have become uncommon. Their summers are spent in polar waters, and they migrate towards the Equator during winters. Their primary diet consists of small, shrimp-like creatures called euphausiids or krill. An adult blue whale can eat up to 40 million krill in a day.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
humpback whale
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales weigh up to 40 tons and grow anywhere between 48 to 62 feet. They are known for their magical songs, which they sing to communicate with others and attract potential mates. These songs are quite complex and can continue for hours on end. They migrate annually for feeding as well as breeding. They are omnivorous in their dietary habits, feeding on fish, plankton, and krill. They get their name from the habit of raising and bending their back while preparing for a dive, thus accentuating the hump in front of the dorsal fin. These whales are powerful swimmers, using their tail fin -- called fluke -- to propel and even leap out of water. They are affectionate in their gestures, with the mother and calves often swimming close and touching each other with their fins.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
beluga whale
Beluga Whale
Beluga whales -- also called white whales -- though born gray, or brown, turn white on reaching sexual maturity. Their color makes them easily distinguishable among other whales. They are found in the Arctic ocean's coastal waters and subarctic waters. They are ranked as mid-sized species among toothed whales. Adult male belugas can range from 11 to 18 ft and weigh between 1,100 and 1,600 kg, while the females measure 10 to 14 ft and weigh between 700 and 1,200 kg. They are social mammals, living and hunting together in small groups. They mostly hunt for schooling fish, which are found in abundance in the coastal areas. They have two unusual characteristics: (1) They never chew their food; and (2) They have flexible neck that enable them to turn their head in all directions.
IUCN conservation status: Not threatened
gray whale
Gray Whale
Often referred to as great migrators, gray whales are medium-sized baleen whales with beautiful gray coloration that has white spots and patches. They are the most primitive of all whales, and covered with abundant abrasions, scars, and clusters of parasitic barnacles on their head and back. They are 40 to 50 feet in length and can weigh up to 40 tons. They are omnivorous and generally feed on amphipod crustaceans. They are fiercely protective of their young ones. Scammon's Lagoon, off Baja California, is famous for spotting the gray whale. This species has been divided into two population stocks -- one of which has been recovered from the brink of extinction, and the other, which is nearly extinct.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
sperm whale
Sperm Whale
The sperm whale is the largest living toothed animal; the name comes from the enormous bulbous spermaceti organ in the head. It also has the largest brain among all the other animals in the world. It can grow up to 60 to 65 ft and weigh around 35 to 45 tons. It feeds on several species, but preys, primarily on giant and colossal squid. Plunging up to 3 kilometers (9,800 ft) for its prey, it is the deepest diving mammal. Unlike baleen whales, which form only temporary bonds, sperm whales live in extended family units.
IUCN conservation status: Vulnerable
mink whale
Minke Whale
Minke whales are split into two species: Common minke and Antarctic minke whales. They are one of the smallest baleen or filter-feeding whales. Average adults can grow up to 23-25 ft and weigh up to 7 tons. They feature two blowholes and are black and white in color. Their diet primarily consists of krill, small fish, herring, and cod. They are widely distributed throughout the world, commonly found from the poles to the tropics. Due to their relative abundance, they are often the focus of whale-watching cruises. They are comparatively healthy in numbers, as most whalers hunt for bigger species for an extra profit.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
right whale
Right Whale
Right whales consist of three species -- the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Southern right whales. The most distinguishing feature of this whale is the rough patches of skin on its head, which appear white due to parasitism by whale lice. It can weigh up to 100 tons and may measure up to 60 feet long. Its name was given by the early whalers because they were the "right" whales to kill. It has large amounts of oil, blubber, and baleen, or whalebone, and lacks a streamline body, which makes it very slow and easy to catch. Due to whaling, its number has drastically reduced. This makes it very rare, and thus not a lot of study has been done on this species.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Sei Whale
Sei whales, pronounced say whales, are the third-largest baleen whale species. Reaching up to 64 ft in length and weighing as much as 28 tons, the sei whale's primary diet consists of copepods, krill, and other zooplankton. It mainly prefers deep, temperate waters, but is also found in the subtropics and tropics. It is among the more elusive of the larger whales, rarely seen close to the shore, except in deep waters around the islands. It is also among the fastest of all baleen whale species.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Fin Whale
The second largest species of whale, the fin whale is commonly known as the 'greyhound of the sea' because of its speed. The average size of an adult fin whale is anywhere between 60 to 67 ft. However, it can grow up to 89.5 ft long. Fin whales belong to the suborder of baleen whales, feeding mainly on small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans including copepods and krill. When hunting for squids, or fish, they are known to dive as deep as 800 feet. They are found all over the world, migrating in the summer to breed. They usually travel in small pods; however, they have been spotted solitary at times. There are (at least) two recognized subspecies -- the fin whales of the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Killer Whale (Orca)
orca
Orcas are commonly mistaken for being whales. However, this is not true; orcas are actually dolphins and are categorized under the Delphinidae family, which falls under the order Cetacea. All dolphins are whales; however, it should be noted that all whales are not dolphins. Orcas, also known as 'killer whales', are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. They grow up to 23 to 32 ft and can weigh up to 6 tons. They hunt in deadly pods, or family groups of up to 40 individuals. They prey on marine mammals, such as seals, sea lions, and whales as well. They are distinctively black-and-white colored and can be seen in many aquarium shows.
Even today, whaling is carried out illegally, and many are killed due to oil spills and the impact of large ships. There are many organizations working towards the protection of these gigantic mammals; however, they still remain vulnerable after years of protection. We, humans, have brought many of these whale species on the brink of extinction, and now it is up to us to save them. It would be an empty ocean without these fascinating mammals!
Types of Whales
Whales are classified under the order Cetacea, and there are about 84 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in this order. Cetacea is further divided into two suborders: Odontocetes (toothed whale) and Mysticetes (baleen whales). There are several characteristics that differentiate the two types of whales, which include their diet, social structure, and physical appearance.
Baleen Whales
Also called great whales, they are characterized by having baleen plates for filtering food from water, rather than having teeth. Filter feeding is a method in which they swim with their mouth open and allow prey, such as fish to get caught and stuck in their baleen plates. Their diet mainly comprises krill and plankton. They are comparatively larger than toothed whales and possess two blowholes. Baleen whale species include the gray whale, humpback whale, blue whale, minke whale, right whale, and fin whale.
Toothed Whales
Toothed whales, as the name suggests, are characterized by the presence of teeth rather than baleen. They have a single blowhole on the top of their head. They also tend to have much larger and more sophisticated social structures as compared to baleen whales. They hunt for larger preys, like sea lions, squids, and even smaller whales. Toothed whales include the Orca (killer whale), sperm whale, and beluga whale. Dolphins and porpoises, too, fall under this category.
*Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Popular Whale Species
blue whale
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever existed. It is also the loudest animal in the world. Adult female ones are larger than adult males in size. The length of a full-grown blue whale can go up to 82-105 feet and may weigh up to 180-200 tons. It looks true blue underwater, but on the surface they appear close to mottled blue-gray in color. Despite their gigantic size, they are shy creatures, and after the whaling era, their sightings have become uncommon. Their summers are spent in polar waters, and they migrate towards the Equator during winters. Their primary diet consists of small, shrimp-like creatures called euphausiids or krill. An adult blue whale can eat up to 40 million krill in a day.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
humpback whale
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales weigh up to 40 tons and grow anywhere between 48 to 62 feet. They are known for their magical songs, which they sing to communicate with others and attract potential mates. These songs are quite complex and can continue for hours on end. They migrate annually for feeding as well as breeding. They are omnivorous in their dietary habits, feeding on fish, plankton, and krill. They get their name from the habit of raising and bending their back while preparing for a dive, thus accentuating the hump in front of the dorsal fin. These whales are powerful swimmers, using their tail fin -- called fluke -- to propel and even leap out of water. They are affectionate in their gestures, with the mother and calves often swimming close and touching each other with their fins.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
beluga whale
Beluga Whale
Beluga whales -- also called white whales -- though born gray, or brown, turn white on reaching sexual maturity. Their color makes them easily distinguishable among other whales. They are found in the Arctic ocean's coastal waters and subarctic waters. They are ranked as mid-sized species among toothed whales. Adult male belugas can range from 11 to 18 ft and weigh between 1,100 and 1,600 kg, while the females measure 10 to 14 ft and weigh between 700 and 1,200 kg. They are social mammals, living and hunting together in small groups. They mostly hunt for schooling fish, which are found in abundance in the coastal areas. They have two unusual characteristics: (1) They never chew their food; and (2) They have flexible neck that enable them to turn their head in all directions.
IUCN conservation status: Not threatened
gray whale
Gray Whale
Often referred to as great migrators, gray whales are medium-sized baleen whales with beautiful gray coloration that has white spots and patches. They are the most primitive of all whales, and covered with abundant abrasions, scars, and clusters of parasitic barnacles on their head and back. They are 40 to 50 feet in length and can weigh up to 40 tons. They are omnivorous and generally feed on amphipod crustaceans. They are fiercely protective of their young ones. Scammon's Lagoon, off Baja California, is famous for spotting the gray whale. This species has been divided into two population stocks -- one of which has been recovered from the brink of extinction, and the other, which is nearly extinct.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
sperm whale
Sperm Whale
The sperm whale is the largest living toothed animal; the name comes from the enormous bulbous spermaceti organ in the head. It also has the largest brain among all the other animals in the world. It can grow up to 60 to 65 ft and weigh around 35 to 45 tons. It feeds on several species, but preys, primarily on giant and colossal squid. Plunging up to 3 kilometers (9,800 ft) for its prey, it is the deepest diving mammal. Unlike baleen whales, which form only temporary bonds, sperm whales live in extended family units.
IUCN conservation status: Vulnerable
mink whale
Minke Whale
Minke whales are split into two species: Common minke and Antarctic minke whales. They are one of the smallest baleen or filter-feeding whales. Average adults can grow up to 23-25 ft and weigh up to 7 tons. They feature two blowholes and are black and white in color. Their diet primarily consists of krill, small fish, herring, and cod. They are widely distributed throughout the world, commonly found from the poles to the tropics. Due to their relative abundance, they are often the focus of whale-watching cruises. They are comparatively healthy in numbers, as most whalers hunt for bigger species for an extra profit.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
right whale
Right Whale
Right whales consist of three species -- the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Southern right whales. The most distinguishing feature of this whale is the rough patches of skin on its head, which appear white due to parasitism by whale lice. It can weigh up to 100 tons and may measure up to 60 feet long. Its name was given by the early whalers because they were the "right" whales to kill. It has large amounts of oil, blubber, and baleen, or whalebone, and lacks a streamline body, which makes it very slow and easy to catch. Due to whaling, its number has drastically reduced. This makes it very rare, and thus not a lot of study has been done on this species.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Sei Whale
Sei whales, pronounced say whales, are the third-largest baleen whale species. Reaching up to 64 ft in length and weighing as much as 28 tons, the sei whale's primary diet consists of copepods, krill, and other zooplankton. It mainly prefers deep, temperate waters, but is also found in the subtropics and tropics. It is among the more elusive of the larger whales, rarely seen close to the shore, except in deep waters around the islands. It is also among the fastest of all baleen whale species.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Fin Whale
The second largest species of whale, the fin whale is commonly known as the 'greyhound of the sea' because of its speed. The average size of an adult fin whale is anywhere between 60 to 67 ft. However, it can grow up to 89.5 ft long. Fin whales belong to the suborder of baleen whales, feeding mainly on small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans including copepods and krill. When hunting for squids, or fish, they are known to dive as deep as 800 feet. They are found all over the world, migrating in the summer to breed. They usually travel in small pods; however, they have been spotted solitary at times. There are (at least) two recognized subspecies -- the fin whales of the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Killer Whale (Orca)
orca
Orcas are commonly mistaken for being whales. However, this is not true; orcas are actually dolphins and are categorized under the Delphinidae family, which falls under the order Cetacea. All dolphins are whales; however, it should be noted that all whales are not dolphins. Orcas, also known as 'killer whales', are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. They grow up to 23 to 32 ft and can weigh up to 6 tons. They hunt in deadly pods, or family groups of up to 40 individuals. They prey on marine mammals, such as seals, sea lions, and whales as well. They are distinctively black-and-white colored and can be seen in many aquarium shows.
Even today, whaling is carried out illegally, and many are killed due to oil spills and the impact of large ships. There are many organizations working towards the protection of these gigantic mammals; however, they still remain vulnerable after years of protection. We, humans, have brought many of these whale species on the brink of extinction, and now it is up to us to save them. It would be an empty ocean without these fascinating mammals!
Different Types of Whales
Since time immemorial, whales have always fascinated us. There is no denying the sheer size of these beautiful mammals. Learn about the types of whales and their different species in this article.
Whales are mammals (not fish) and are found in all the oceans of
the world. They are most numerous in the Arctic region and Antarctica as
they prefer cooler and deeper waters. They are also spotted along the
eastern coast of the U.S. There have also been rare sightings in warm
waters in Hawaii, Bahamas and The Gulf of Mexico. One even swam some 110
mi. up the Columbia River, just to eat fish. Their seasonal movement is
mostly influenced by the migration of fish, other aquatic preys, and
pack ice. There are different types of whales -- some are extinct while
others are endangered.
Types of Whales
Whales are classified under the order Cetacea, and there are about 84 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in this order. Cetacea is further divided into two suborders: Odontocetes (toothed whale) and Mysticetes (baleen whales). There are several characteristics that differentiate the two types of whales, which include their diet, social structure, and physical appearance.
Baleen Whales
Also called great whales, they are characterized by having baleen plates for filtering food from water, rather than having teeth. Filter feeding is a method in which they swim with their mouth open and allow prey, such as fish to get caught and stuck in their baleen plates. Their diet mainly comprises krill and plankton. They are comparatively larger than toothed whales and possess two blowholes. Baleen whale species include the gray whale, humpback whale, blue whale, minke whale, right whale, and fin whale.
Toothed Whales
Toothed whales, as the name suggests, are characterized by the presence of teeth rather than baleen. They have a single blowhole on the top of their head. They also tend to have much larger and more sophisticated social structures as compared to baleen whales. They hunt for larger preys, like sea lions, squids, and even smaller whales. Toothed whales include the Orca (killer whale), sperm whale, and beluga whale. Dolphins and porpoises, too, fall under this category.
*Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Popular Whale Species
blue whale
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever existed. It is also the loudest animal in the world. Adult female ones are larger than adult males in size. The length of a full-grown blue whale can go up to 82-105 feet and may weigh up to 180-200 tons. It looks true blue underwater, but on the surface they appear close to mottled blue-gray in color. Despite their gigantic size, they are shy creatures, and after the whaling era, their sightings have become uncommon. Their summers are spent in polar waters, and they migrate towards the Equator during winters. Their primary diet consists of small, shrimp-like creatures called euphausiids or krill. An adult blue whale can eat up to 40 million krill in a day.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
humpback whale
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales weigh up to 40 tons and grow anywhere between 48 to 62 feet. They are known for their magical songs, which they sing to communicate with others and attract potential mates. These songs are quite complex and can continue for hours on end. They migrate annually for feeding as well as breeding. They are omnivorous in their dietary habits, feeding on fish, plankton, and krill. They get their name from the habit of raising and bending their back while preparing for a dive, thus accentuating the hump in front of the dorsal fin. These whales are powerful swimmers, using their tail fin -- called fluke -- to propel and even leap out of water. They are affectionate in their gestures, with the mother and calves often swimming close and touching each other with their fins.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
beluga whale
Beluga Whale
Beluga whales -- also called white whales -- though born gray, or brown, turn white on reaching sexual maturity. Their color makes them easily distinguishable among other whales. They are found in the Arctic ocean's coastal waters and subarctic waters. They are ranked as mid-sized species among toothed whales. Adult male belugas can range from 11 to 18 ft and weigh between 1,100 and 1,600 kg, while the females measure 10 to 14 ft and weigh between 700 and 1,200 kg. They are social mammals, living and hunting together in small groups. They mostly hunt for schooling fish, which are found in abundance in the coastal areas. They have two unusual characteristics: (1) They never chew their food; and (2) They have flexible neck that enable them to turn their head in all directions.
IUCN conservation status: Not threatened
gray whale
Gray Whale
Often referred to as great migrators, gray whales are medium-sized baleen whales with beautiful gray coloration that has white spots and patches. They are the most primitive of all whales, and covered with abundant abrasions, scars, and clusters of parasitic barnacles on their head and back. They are 40 to 50 feet in length and can weigh up to 40 tons. They are omnivorous and generally feed on amphipod crustaceans. They are fiercely protective of their young ones. Scammon's Lagoon, off Baja California, is famous for spotting the gray whale. This species has been divided into two population stocks -- one of which has been recovered from the brink of extinction, and the other, which is nearly extinct.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
sperm whale
Sperm Whale
The sperm whale is the largest living toothed animal; the name comes from the enormous bulbous spermaceti organ in the head. It also has the largest brain among all the other animals in the world. It can grow up to 60 to 65 ft and weigh around 35 to 45 tons. It feeds on several species, but preys, primarily on giant and colossal squid. Plunging up to 3 kilometers (9,800 ft) for its prey, it is the deepest diving mammal. Unlike baleen whales, which form only temporary bonds, sperm whales live in extended family units.
IUCN conservation status: Vulnerable
mink whale
Minke Whale
Minke whales are split into two species: Common minke and Antarctic minke whales. They are one of the smallest baleen or filter-feeding whales. Average adults can grow up to 23-25 ft and weigh up to 7 tons. They feature two blowholes and are black and white in color. Their diet primarily consists of krill, small fish, herring, and cod. They are widely distributed throughout the world, commonly found from the poles to the tropics. Due to their relative abundance, they are often the focus of whale-watching cruises. They are comparatively healthy in numbers, as most whalers hunt for bigger species for an extra profit.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
right whale
Right Whale
Right whales consist of three species -- the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Southern right whales. The most distinguishing feature of this whale is the rough patches of skin on its head, which appear white due to parasitism by whale lice. It can weigh up to 100 tons and may measure up to 60 feet long. Its name was given by the early whalers because they were the "right" whales to kill. It has large amounts of oil, blubber, and baleen, or whalebone, and lacks a streamline body, which makes it very slow and easy to catch. Due to whaling, its number has drastically reduced. This makes it very rare, and thus not a lot of study has been done on this species.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Sei Whale
Sei whales, pronounced say whales, are the third-largest baleen whale species. Reaching up to 64 ft in length and weighing as much as 28 tons, the sei whale's primary diet consists of copepods, krill, and other zooplankton. It mainly prefers deep, temperate waters, but is also found in the subtropics and tropics. It is among the more elusive of the larger whales, rarely seen close to the shore, except in deep waters around the islands. It is also among the fastest of all baleen whale species.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Fin Whale
The second largest species of whale, the fin whale is commonly known as the 'greyhound of the sea' because of its speed. The average size of an adult fin whale is anywhere between 60 to 67 ft. However, it can grow up to 89.5 ft long. Fin whales belong to the suborder of baleen whales, feeding mainly on small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans including copepods and krill. When hunting for squids, or fish, they are known to dive as deep as 800 feet. They are found all over the world, migrating in the summer to breed. They usually travel in small pods; however, they have been spotted solitary at times. There are (at least) two recognized subspecies -- the fin whales of the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Killer Whale (Orca)
orca
Orcas are commonly mistaken for being whales. However, this is not true; orcas are actually dolphins and are categorized under the Delphinidae family, which falls under the order Cetacea. All dolphins are whales; however, it should be noted that all whales are not dolphins. Orcas, also known as 'killer whales', are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. They grow up to 23 to 32 ft and can weigh up to 6 tons. They hunt in deadly pods, or family groups of up to 40 individuals. They prey on marine mammals, such as seals, sea lions, and whales as well. They are distinctively black-and-white colored and can be seen in many aquarium shows.
Even today, whaling is carried out illegally, and many are killed due to oil spills and the impact of large ships. There are many organizations working towards the protection of these gigantic mammals; however, they still remain vulnerable after years of protection. We, humans, have brought many of these whale species on the brink of extinction, and now it is up to us to save them. It would be an empty ocean without these fascinating mammals!
Types of Whales
Whales are classified under the order Cetacea, and there are about 84 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in this order. Cetacea is further divided into two suborders: Odontocetes (toothed whale) and Mysticetes (baleen whales). There are several characteristics that differentiate the two types of whales, which include their diet, social structure, and physical appearance.
Baleen Whales
Also called great whales, they are characterized by having baleen plates for filtering food from water, rather than having teeth. Filter feeding is a method in which they swim with their mouth open and allow prey, such as fish to get caught and stuck in their baleen plates. Their diet mainly comprises krill and plankton. They are comparatively larger than toothed whales and possess two blowholes. Baleen whale species include the gray whale, humpback whale, blue whale, minke whale, right whale, and fin whale.
Toothed Whales
Toothed whales, as the name suggests, are characterized by the presence of teeth rather than baleen. They have a single blowhole on the top of their head. They also tend to have much larger and more sophisticated social structures as compared to baleen whales. They hunt for larger preys, like sea lions, squids, and even smaller whales. Toothed whales include the Orca (killer whale), sperm whale, and beluga whale. Dolphins and porpoises, too, fall under this category.
*Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Popular Whale Species
blue whale
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever existed. It is also the loudest animal in the world. Adult female ones are larger than adult males in size. The length of a full-grown blue whale can go up to 82-105 feet and may weigh up to 180-200 tons. It looks true blue underwater, but on the surface they appear close to mottled blue-gray in color. Despite their gigantic size, they are shy creatures, and after the whaling era, their sightings have become uncommon. Their summers are spent in polar waters, and they migrate towards the Equator during winters. Their primary diet consists of small, shrimp-like creatures called euphausiids or krill. An adult blue whale can eat up to 40 million krill in a day.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
humpback whale
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales weigh up to 40 tons and grow anywhere between 48 to 62 feet. They are known for their magical songs, which they sing to communicate with others and attract potential mates. These songs are quite complex and can continue for hours on end. They migrate annually for feeding as well as breeding. They are omnivorous in their dietary habits, feeding on fish, plankton, and krill. They get their name from the habit of raising and bending their back while preparing for a dive, thus accentuating the hump in front of the dorsal fin. These whales are powerful swimmers, using their tail fin -- called fluke -- to propel and even leap out of water. They are affectionate in their gestures, with the mother and calves often swimming close and touching each other with their fins.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
beluga whale
Beluga Whale
Beluga whales -- also called white whales -- though born gray, or brown, turn white on reaching sexual maturity. Their color makes them easily distinguishable among other whales. They are found in the Arctic ocean's coastal waters and subarctic waters. They are ranked as mid-sized species among toothed whales. Adult male belugas can range from 11 to 18 ft and weigh between 1,100 and 1,600 kg, while the females measure 10 to 14 ft and weigh between 700 and 1,200 kg. They are social mammals, living and hunting together in small groups. They mostly hunt for schooling fish, which are found in abundance in the coastal areas. They have two unusual characteristics: (1) They never chew their food; and (2) They have flexible neck that enable them to turn their head in all directions.
IUCN conservation status: Not threatened
gray whale
Gray Whale
Often referred to as great migrators, gray whales are medium-sized baleen whales with beautiful gray coloration that has white spots and patches. They are the most primitive of all whales, and covered with abundant abrasions, scars, and clusters of parasitic barnacles on their head and back. They are 40 to 50 feet in length and can weigh up to 40 tons. They are omnivorous and generally feed on amphipod crustaceans. They are fiercely protective of their young ones. Scammon's Lagoon, off Baja California, is famous for spotting the gray whale. This species has been divided into two population stocks -- one of which has been recovered from the brink of extinction, and the other, which is nearly extinct.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
sperm whale
Sperm Whale
The sperm whale is the largest living toothed animal; the name comes from the enormous bulbous spermaceti organ in the head. It also has the largest brain among all the other animals in the world. It can grow up to 60 to 65 ft and weigh around 35 to 45 tons. It feeds on several species, but preys, primarily on giant and colossal squid. Plunging up to 3 kilometers (9,800 ft) for its prey, it is the deepest diving mammal. Unlike baleen whales, which form only temporary bonds, sperm whales live in extended family units.
IUCN conservation status: Vulnerable
mink whale
Minke Whale
Minke whales are split into two species: Common minke and Antarctic minke whales. They are one of the smallest baleen or filter-feeding whales. Average adults can grow up to 23-25 ft and weigh up to 7 tons. They feature two blowholes and are black and white in color. Their diet primarily consists of krill, small fish, herring, and cod. They are widely distributed throughout the world, commonly found from the poles to the tropics. Due to their relative abundance, they are often the focus of whale-watching cruises. They are comparatively healthy in numbers, as most whalers hunt for bigger species for an extra profit.
IUCN conservation status: Least concern
right whale
Right Whale
Right whales consist of three species -- the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Southern right whales. The most distinguishing feature of this whale is the rough patches of skin on its head, which appear white due to parasitism by whale lice. It can weigh up to 100 tons and may measure up to 60 feet long. Its name was given by the early whalers because they were the "right" whales to kill. It has large amounts of oil, blubber, and baleen, or whalebone, and lacks a streamline body, which makes it very slow and easy to catch. Due to whaling, its number has drastically reduced. This makes it very rare, and thus not a lot of study has been done on this species.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Sei Whale
Sei whales, pronounced say whales, are the third-largest baleen whale species. Reaching up to 64 ft in length and weighing as much as 28 tons, the sei whale's primary diet consists of copepods, krill, and other zooplankton. It mainly prefers deep, temperate waters, but is also found in the subtropics and tropics. It is among the more elusive of the larger whales, rarely seen close to the shore, except in deep waters around the islands. It is also among the fastest of all baleen whale species.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Fin Whale
The second largest species of whale, the fin whale is commonly known as the 'greyhound of the sea' because of its speed. The average size of an adult fin whale is anywhere between 60 to 67 ft. However, it can grow up to 89.5 ft long. Fin whales belong to the suborder of baleen whales, feeding mainly on small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans including copepods and krill. When hunting for squids, or fish, they are known to dive as deep as 800 feet. They are found all over the world, migrating in the summer to breed. They usually travel in small pods; however, they have been spotted solitary at times. There are (at least) two recognized subspecies -- the fin whales of the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere.
IUCN conservation status: Endangered
Killer Whale (Orca)
orca
Orcas are commonly mistaken for being whales. However, this is not true; orcas are actually dolphins and are categorized under the Delphinidae family, which falls under the order Cetacea. All dolphins are whales; however, it should be noted that all whales are not dolphins. Orcas, also known as 'killer whales', are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. They grow up to 23 to 32 ft and can weigh up to 6 tons. They hunt in deadly pods, or family groups of up to 40 individuals. They prey on marine mammals, such as seals, sea lions, and whales as well. They are distinctively black-and-white colored and can be seen in many aquarium shows.
Even today, whaling is carried out illegally, and many are killed due to oil spills and the impact of large ships. There are many organizations working towards the protection of these gigantic mammals; however, they still remain vulnerable after years of protection. We, humans, have brought many of these whale species on the brink of extinction, and now it is up to us to save them. It would be an empty ocean without these fascinating mammals!
Where do Whales Migrate
Factors such as climatic changes, water temperature, salinity, depth and topography of the ocean bed, and the abundance of food play a significant role in the migration of whales. Here is more information on where do they migrate.
Factors such as climatic changes, water temperature, salinity, depth and topography of the ocean bed, and the abundance of food play a significant role in the migration of whales. Here is more information on where do they migrate.
During the warm or summer months, these giant mammals of the ocean
migrate to the cold waters in search of food, and also to cool their
body. Remember, they are warm-blooded marine mammals. When the weather
becomes cold, the food also become scarce, and during this period they
migrate to warmer waters for mating and breeding.
Migration of Different Types of Whales
Southern Right Whales
During summer, southern right whales migrate to the colder food-rich waters near Antarctica. However, the exact location is still unknown. The winter and spring months being the mating and calving seasons, they are tentatively found along the southern coast of Africa, South America, western coast of New Zealand, and in the Great Blight of Australia.
Blue Whales
Blue whales travel thousands of kilometers between their breeding and calving, and the feeding seasons. During the summer months, they travel to the feeding ground in high latitude and cool waters of either the Antarctic or Arctic Ocean. Here they nourish on the rich supply of krill and other small fish and mammals.
At the end of the feeding season and in the beginning of breeding season, the aged and pregnant blue whales migrate first to the warm waters near the tropics. Female whales give birth in the warm waters and during this period they virtually eat nothing. Instead live on body reserves.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales living in the northern and southern hemisphere of the earth, cross over to the other side of the globe during the feeding and breeding season. This means that those living on the northern hemisphere migrate to the tropical waters for breeding and calving, while the ones living on the southern hemisphere travel towards the polar regions to feed and vice versa. An interesting fact is when the humpback whales migrate, their average speed is only 1 mph because they would be resting and also socializing along the way. For instance, those traveling to the feeding grounds in Antarctica, stop at the warm water of Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia.
Killer Whales
Killer whales are found in all the oceans of the world. Their migration is influenced by the migration of fish and other marine life, such as seals, herring, and so on. For instance, in eastern Canada, the migration of the killer whales is influenced by the migration of the seals, and in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean they follow migration of the herrings. In the Bering Sea and the Beaufort Sea, the seasonal movements and retreat of the icebergs and ice packs influence the migration considerably.
Gray Whales
Gray whales are found mainly in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean (America) and in the Western North Pacific Ocean (Asia). Those found in the Western North Pacific Ocean migrate from winter breeding and calving grounds of Japan and the Korean Peninsula to their summer feeding regions in the Northern Okhotsk Sea.
While those residing in Eastern North Pacific, migrate 20,000 km between their summer feeding in Alaska and the Beaufort Sea, and for the winter breeding and calving ground in California, Canada, and Mexico.
Northern Right Whales
Unlike the gray and humpback whales, northern right ones do not travel long distances for feeding, breeding, and calving. During the winter months when breeding and calving take place, the pregnant female whales are seen in the coastal waters of Florida and Georgia. In the spring months, northern right whales are seen in Massachusetts Bay, east of Cape Cod, and Great South Channel.
The summer and autumn months are the feeding months. During this period whales could be seen in the warmer waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Migration of Different Types of Whales
Southern Right Whales
During summer, southern right whales migrate to the colder food-rich waters near Antarctica. However, the exact location is still unknown. The winter and spring months being the mating and calving seasons, they are tentatively found along the southern coast of Africa, South America, western coast of New Zealand, and in the Great Blight of Australia.
Blue Whales
Blue whales travel thousands of kilometers between their breeding and calving, and the feeding seasons. During the summer months, they travel to the feeding ground in high latitude and cool waters of either the Antarctic or Arctic Ocean. Here they nourish on the rich supply of krill and other small fish and mammals.
At the end of the feeding season and in the beginning of breeding season, the aged and pregnant blue whales migrate first to the warm waters near the tropics. Female whales give birth in the warm waters and during this period they virtually eat nothing. Instead live on body reserves.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales living in the northern and southern hemisphere of the earth, cross over to the other side of the globe during the feeding and breeding season. This means that those living on the northern hemisphere migrate to the tropical waters for breeding and calving, while the ones living on the southern hemisphere travel towards the polar regions to feed and vice versa. An interesting fact is when the humpback whales migrate, their average speed is only 1 mph because they would be resting and also socializing along the way. For instance, those traveling to the feeding grounds in Antarctica, stop at the warm water of Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia.
Killer Whales
Killer whales are found in all the oceans of the world. Their migration is influenced by the migration of fish and other marine life, such as seals, herring, and so on. For instance, in eastern Canada, the migration of the killer whales is influenced by the migration of the seals, and in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean they follow migration of the herrings. In the Bering Sea and the Beaufort Sea, the seasonal movements and retreat of the icebergs and ice packs influence the migration considerably.
Gray Whales
Gray whales are found mainly in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean (America) and in the Western North Pacific Ocean (Asia). Those found in the Western North Pacific Ocean migrate from winter breeding and calving grounds of Japan and the Korean Peninsula to their summer feeding regions in the Northern Okhotsk Sea.
While those residing in Eastern North Pacific, migrate 20,000 km between their summer feeding in Alaska and the Beaufort Sea, and for the winter breeding and calving ground in California, Canada, and Mexico.
Northern Right Whales
Unlike the gray and humpback whales, northern right ones do not travel long distances for feeding, breeding, and calving. During the winter months when breeding and calving take place, the pregnant female whales are seen in the coastal waters of Florida and Georgia. In the spring months, northern right whales are seen in Massachusetts Bay, east of Cape Cod, and Great South Channel.
The summer and autumn months are the feeding months. During this period whales could be seen in the warmer waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Largest Mammal on Earth
The largest mammals on earth - blue whales, have always been a matter of curiosity and amazement for us, human beings. Here is a short account about these gentle giants living in the seas.
The largest mammals on earth - blue whales, have always been a matter of curiosity and amazement for us, human beings. Here is a short account about these gentle giants living in the seas.
The blue whale is not only the largest mammal on earth, but also
bigger than any living creature. Everything related to them is gigantic.
The length of these cetaceans can be more than 100 feet, while their
weight is around 170 metric tons. It is said that their tongue weighs
more than that of an African elephant! The zoological name of this sea
animal is Balaenoptera musculus. Musculus is a Latin word meaning
"muscular". The blue whale comes from a family which includes the
humpback whale, fin whale, sei whale, and the minke whale. Earlier, it
was also identified by names like 'Sibbald's rorqual', great blue whale,
and the great northern rorqual.
Anatomy
The females are bigger than males in this species. The blue whales are longer and slender in comparison to other species. Also the U-shaped head and blowhole, are its unique body features. The blowhole - an opening on the dorsal side of its body, helps at the time of breathing and swallowing, because it pumps water out of the whale's body. As blue whales are huge animals, they possess a big respiratory system. Its aorta - an artery in the heart is so big in diameter that a human being can easily pass through it. Unlike fish, which use gills to respire, these huge mammals breathe with the help of lungs and need to come to the water surface to take in oxygen.
Eating Habits
These whales require a lot of food to satiate their huge appetite. They feed mainly on krill - a small marine invertebrate. A single blue whale can consume up to 40 million krill in a single day. At the time of feeding, these whales swallow water along with the krill. Baleen plates play an important role in removing this water and keeping the food inside the body. These 300 one-meter plates, lined along the whale's upper jaw, trap the krill inside the mouth while the blowhole removes excess water.
Reproduction
Mating takes place between the autumn and winter season. The gestation period extends up to one year and the baby whale weighs about 2.5 tons at the time of birth. It drinks around 400 liters of milk daily and grows at the rate of 1.5 inch everyday.
Sound Produced by Whales
Blue whales produce sounds ranging between 155 and 188 decibels, which is greater than a jet! According to experts, the sounds produced by whales serve some meaningful purposes. These low frequency sounds produced by whales are helpful in locating food, finding the right directions, communicating with other whales, etc.
Mindless Hunting of Blue Whales
It was difficult to hunt whales in earlier days due to their massive size. It was only after the invention of a specially designed harpoon that the whalers went on a hunting spree. Mindless hunting was carried in different parts of the world including Norway, Iceland, Newfoundland, etc. This carried on till 1960, after which it was banned by the International Whaling Commission; but it continued illegally till 1970. By this time, around 3,30,000 whales were killed by whalers. Although it is difficult to estimate the total blue whale population of the world, in 2002 it was estimated to be between 5000-12000.
Present Condition of Blue Whales
The blue whale is declared as an endangered species today. After taking steps for its preservation, the population is slowly but steadily increasing day-by-day; the Antarctic region among all showing the highest rise of 7.3%.
Blue whales need more time than other animals for reproduction. Strict measures to stop whale hunting, coupled with an effort to raise their number will help preserve this endangered species. It is necessary to speed up efforts in order to save these beautiful massive creatures from getting wiped off this planet.
Anatomy
The females are bigger than males in this species. The blue whales are longer and slender in comparison to other species. Also the U-shaped head and blowhole, are its unique body features. The blowhole - an opening on the dorsal side of its body, helps at the time of breathing and swallowing, because it pumps water out of the whale's body. As blue whales are huge animals, they possess a big respiratory system. Its aorta - an artery in the heart is so big in diameter that a human being can easily pass through it. Unlike fish, which use gills to respire, these huge mammals breathe with the help of lungs and need to come to the water surface to take in oxygen.
Eating Habits
These whales require a lot of food to satiate their huge appetite. They feed mainly on krill - a small marine invertebrate. A single blue whale can consume up to 40 million krill in a single day. At the time of feeding, these whales swallow water along with the krill. Baleen plates play an important role in removing this water and keeping the food inside the body. These 300 one-meter plates, lined along the whale's upper jaw, trap the krill inside the mouth while the blowhole removes excess water.
Reproduction
Mating takes place between the autumn and winter season. The gestation period extends up to one year and the baby whale weighs about 2.5 tons at the time of birth. It drinks around 400 liters of milk daily and grows at the rate of 1.5 inch everyday.
Sound Produced by Whales
Blue whales produce sounds ranging between 155 and 188 decibels, which is greater than a jet! According to experts, the sounds produced by whales serve some meaningful purposes. These low frequency sounds produced by whales are helpful in locating food, finding the right directions, communicating with other whales, etc.
Mindless Hunting of Blue Whales
It was difficult to hunt whales in earlier days due to their massive size. It was only after the invention of a specially designed harpoon that the whalers went on a hunting spree. Mindless hunting was carried in different parts of the world including Norway, Iceland, Newfoundland, etc. This carried on till 1960, after which it was banned by the International Whaling Commission; but it continued illegally till 1970. By this time, around 3,30,000 whales were killed by whalers. Although it is difficult to estimate the total blue whale population of the world, in 2002 it was estimated to be between 5000-12000.
Present Condition of Blue Whales
The blue whale is declared as an endangered species today. After taking steps for its preservation, the population is slowly but steadily increasing day-by-day; the Antarctic region among all showing the highest rise of 7.3%.
Blue whales need more time than other animals for reproduction. Strict measures to stop whale hunting, coupled with an effort to raise their number will help preserve this endangered species. It is necessary to speed up efforts in order to save these beautiful massive creatures from getting wiped off this planet.
Beluga Whale Habitat
Belugas or white whales are one of the few whale species, that are kept in aquariums. Here are some facts about their habitat and distribution.
Belugas or white whales are one of the few whale species, that are kept in aquariums. Here are some facts about their habitat and distribution.
The blue whale is not only the largest mammal on earth, but also
bigger than any living creature. Everything related to them is gigantic.
The length of these cetaceans can be more than 100 feet, while their
weight is around 170 metric tons. It is said that their tongue weighs
more than that of an African elephant! The zoological name of this sea
animal is Balaenoptera musculus. Musculus is a Latin word meaning
"muscular". The blue whale comes from a family which includes the
humpback whale, fin whale, sei whale, and the minke whale. Earlier, it
was also identified by names like 'Sibbald's rorqual', great blue whale,
and the great northern rorqual.
Anatomy
The females are bigger than males in this species. The blue whales are longer and slender in comparison to other species. Also the U-shaped head and blowhole, are its unique body features. The blowhole - an opening on the dorsal side of its body, helps at the time of breathing and swallowing, because it pumps water out of the whale's body. As blue whales are huge animals, they possess a big respiratory system. Its aorta - an artery in the heart is so big in diameter that a human being can easily pass through it. Unlike fish, which use gills to respire, these huge mammals breathe with the help of lungs and need to come to the water surface to take in oxygen.
Eating Habits
These whales require a lot of food to satiate their huge appetite. They feed mainly on krill - a small marine invertebrate. A single blue whale can consume up to 40 million krill in a single day. At the time of feeding, these whales swallow water along with the krill. Baleen plates play an important role in removing this water and keeping the food inside the body. These 300 one-meter plates, lined along the whale's upper jaw, trap the krill inside the mouth while the blowhole removes excess water.
Reproduction
Mating takes place between the autumn and winter season. The gestation period extends up to one year and the baby whale weighs about 2.5 tons at the time of birth. It drinks around 400 liters of milk daily and grows at the rate of 1.5 inch everyday.
Sound Produced by Whales
Blue whales produce sounds ranging between 155 and 188 decibels, which is greater than a jet! According to experts, the sounds produced by whales serve some meaningful purposes. These low frequency sounds produced by whales are helpful in locating food, finding the right directions, communicating with other whales, etc.
Mindless Hunting of Blue Whales
It was difficult to hunt whales in earlier days due to their massive size. It was only after the invention of a specially designed harpoon that the whalers went on a hunting spree. Mindless hunting was carried in different parts of the world including Norway, Iceland, Newfoundland, etc. This carried on till 1960, after which it was banned by the International Whaling Commission; but it continued illegally till 1970. By this time, around 3,30,000 whales were killed by whalers. Although it is difficult to estimate the total blue whale population of the world, in 2002 it was estimated to be between 5000-12000.
Present Condition of Blue Whales
The blue whale is declared as an endangered species today. After taking steps for its preservation, the population is slowly but steadily increasing day-by-day; the Antarctic region among all showing the highest rise of 7.3%.
Blue whales need more time than other animals for reproduction. Strict measures to stop whale hunting, coupled with an effort to raise their number will help preserve this endangered species. It is necessary to speed up efforts in order to save these beautiful massive creatures from getting wiped off this planet.
Anatomy
The females are bigger than males in this species. The blue whales are longer and slender in comparison to other species. Also the U-shaped head and blowhole, are its unique body features. The blowhole - an opening on the dorsal side of its body, helps at the time of breathing and swallowing, because it pumps water out of the whale's body. As blue whales are huge animals, they possess a big respiratory system. Its aorta - an artery in the heart is so big in diameter that a human being can easily pass through it. Unlike fish, which use gills to respire, these huge mammals breathe with the help of lungs and need to come to the water surface to take in oxygen.
Eating Habits
These whales require a lot of food to satiate their huge appetite. They feed mainly on krill - a small marine invertebrate. A single blue whale can consume up to 40 million krill in a single day. At the time of feeding, these whales swallow water along with the krill. Baleen plates play an important role in removing this water and keeping the food inside the body. These 300 one-meter plates, lined along the whale's upper jaw, trap the krill inside the mouth while the blowhole removes excess water.
Reproduction
Mating takes place between the autumn and winter season. The gestation period extends up to one year and the baby whale weighs about 2.5 tons at the time of birth. It drinks around 400 liters of milk daily and grows at the rate of 1.5 inch everyday.
Sound Produced by Whales
Blue whales produce sounds ranging between 155 and 188 decibels, which is greater than a jet! According to experts, the sounds produced by whales serve some meaningful purposes. These low frequency sounds produced by whales are helpful in locating food, finding the right directions, communicating with other whales, etc.
Mindless Hunting of Blue Whales
It was difficult to hunt whales in earlier days due to their massive size. It was only after the invention of a specially designed harpoon that the whalers went on a hunting spree. Mindless hunting was carried in different parts of the world including Norway, Iceland, Newfoundland, etc. This carried on till 1960, after which it was banned by the International Whaling Commission; but it continued illegally till 1970. By this time, around 3,30,000 whales were killed by whalers. Although it is difficult to estimate the total blue whale population of the world, in 2002 it was estimated to be between 5000-12000.
Present Condition of Blue Whales
The blue whale is declared as an endangered species today. After taking steps for its preservation, the population is slowly but steadily increasing day-by-day; the Antarctic region among all showing the highest rise of 7.3%.
Blue whales need more time than other animals for reproduction. Strict measures to stop whale hunting, coupled with an effort to raise their number will help preserve this endangered species. It is necessary to speed up efforts in order to save these beautiful massive creatures from getting wiped off this planet.
Sperm Whale Facts
The sperm whale earned its name from the misconception that the milky-white fluid in its head―spermaceti―was actually its sperm. In this Buzzle article, we have more of such sperm whale facts for you.
The sperm whale earned its name from the misconception that the milky-white fluid in its head―spermaceti―was actually its sperm. In this Buzzle article, we have more of such sperm whale facts for you.
Every animal, whether it's a small flying insect or the large
whale, is characterized by specific attributes that help in their
identification. With respect to the sperm whale, it's the large head
with nearly rounded forehead that make it easily recognizable to us. It
is the largest member of the family of toothed whales, which also has
dolphins and beaked whales to its credit. At 9 kg, its massive brain is
recorded to be the largest for any animal on the planet.
Sperm Whale: The Largest Toothed Predator
The sperm whale is a mammal with a dark gray skin. It is categorized as a toothed whale, as it bears teeth instead of baleens. The name is assigned with respect to the oily, milky-white fluid that fills up the head of the species. This substance is called spermaceti, and was once believed to be its sperm. Till date, marine biologists are not sure about the actual role of spermaceti. As for the closest guess, it is believed that this waxy matter helps the sperm whale in buoyancy regulation at the time of diving deep into the sea.
Size
Adult male sperm whales (bulls) can grow to a length of 20 meters or more, with the head portion occupying one-third of their total body length. The average body weight of this enormous mammal is 57,000 kg. Pygmy sperm whale is a rare species; smaller in size (at 3 - 4 meters) and weighing about 408 kg. The smallest species is the dwarf sperm whale, measuring about 2.7 meters in length and weighing not more than 250 kg.
Teeth
The lower teeth of sperm whale are cone-shaped and weigh about 1 kg. In both sides of the lower jaw, the number of teeth is more than 20. The upper jaw bears only rudimentary teeth. When it closes its mouth, its lower jaw properly fits into its upper jaw. The teeth are also used for defense mechanism during fights between bulls.
Diving
This enormous mammal has ability to swim very deep in the sea and rise up again. It is claimed that this whale can dive to about 9,800 meters deep, while holding its breath for 1½ hours. It holds the title for the deepest diver of all mammals. Dwarf sperm whale is actually a deep diver that prefers to feed in coastlines.
Communication
Its ability to make vocal sounds (or clangs) for the purpose of echolocation and communication is unique. In fact, they produce the loudest sound of all the animals in the sea. With the help echolocation, these whales can predict the size, shape, and distance of their prey.
Food
Sperm whale is a true carnivore, which primarily feeds on squids (both, colossal and giant squids) that inhabit the bottom of the sea. Other preferred food items include octopi, skates, and other marine species. On an average, adult whales consume more than 900 kg of squid and fish per day.
Reproduction
Male sperm whales attain sexual maturity at the age of 18 years, while female attain it at 7 - 13 years. After mating, the female undergoes a gestation period of 14 - 16 months and gives birth to a single calf. The young suckles from its mother and other females in the group for about 42 months. Interestingly, the lactation period in this species can be as long as 13 years at times.
Social Behavior
The female sperm whale along with their calves dive together in groups. Such groups are called pods, each of which comprise about 15 - 20 whales. In contrast, the males are often spotted alone in higher latitudes, or they keep on migrating from one group to another.
Hunting
Whaling of the sperm whales is done for ambergris, which is a gray, waxy substance secreted by their stomach. Freshly isolated ambergris has an unpleasant smell (similar to that of feces), but the fragrance becomes sweet after some time, and is widely used in perfume industry.
Uses of Spermaceti
Spermaceti protects the stomach lining from being bitten by squids. Very often, the sperm whale regurgitates it in large amounts. The spermaceti extracted from the head of sperm whale solidifies when it is exposed to low temperature condition. Commercially, it is used in making machine oils, candles, soaps, and other cosmetic products.
Other than humans, sperm whales are threatened by very few natural predators; the killer whale (orcas) being one of them. Unfortunately, their population has declined significantly due to large-scale whaling. Also, pygmy and dwarf sperm whales are rare species. In their natural habitat, the lifespan of a sperm whale is about 70 years.
Sperm Whale: The Largest Toothed Predator
The sperm whale is a mammal with a dark gray skin. It is categorized as a toothed whale, as it bears teeth instead of baleens. The name is assigned with respect to the oily, milky-white fluid that fills up the head of the species. This substance is called spermaceti, and was once believed to be its sperm. Till date, marine biologists are not sure about the actual role of spermaceti. As for the closest guess, it is believed that this waxy matter helps the sperm whale in buoyancy regulation at the time of diving deep into the sea.
Size
Adult male sperm whales (bulls) can grow to a length of 20 meters or more, with the head portion occupying one-third of their total body length. The average body weight of this enormous mammal is 57,000 kg. Pygmy sperm whale is a rare species; smaller in size (at 3 - 4 meters) and weighing about 408 kg. The smallest species is the dwarf sperm whale, measuring about 2.7 meters in length and weighing not more than 250 kg.
Teeth
The lower teeth of sperm whale are cone-shaped and weigh about 1 kg. In both sides of the lower jaw, the number of teeth is more than 20. The upper jaw bears only rudimentary teeth. When it closes its mouth, its lower jaw properly fits into its upper jaw. The teeth are also used for defense mechanism during fights between bulls.
Diving
This enormous mammal has ability to swim very deep in the sea and rise up again. It is claimed that this whale can dive to about 9,800 meters deep, while holding its breath for 1½ hours. It holds the title for the deepest diver of all mammals. Dwarf sperm whale is actually a deep diver that prefers to feed in coastlines.
Communication
Its ability to make vocal sounds (or clangs) for the purpose of echolocation and communication is unique. In fact, they produce the loudest sound of all the animals in the sea. With the help echolocation, these whales can predict the size, shape, and distance of their prey.
Food
Sperm whale is a true carnivore, which primarily feeds on squids (both, colossal and giant squids) that inhabit the bottom of the sea. Other preferred food items include octopi, skates, and other marine species. On an average, adult whales consume more than 900 kg of squid and fish per day.
Reproduction
Male sperm whales attain sexual maturity at the age of 18 years, while female attain it at 7 - 13 years. After mating, the female undergoes a gestation period of 14 - 16 months and gives birth to a single calf. The young suckles from its mother and other females in the group for about 42 months. Interestingly, the lactation period in this species can be as long as 13 years at times.
Social Behavior
The female sperm whale along with their calves dive together in groups. Such groups are called pods, each of which comprise about 15 - 20 whales. In contrast, the males are often spotted alone in higher latitudes, or they keep on migrating from one group to another.
Hunting
Whaling of the sperm whales is done for ambergris, which is a gray, waxy substance secreted by their stomach. Freshly isolated ambergris has an unpleasant smell (similar to that of feces), but the fragrance becomes sweet after some time, and is widely used in perfume industry.
Uses of Spermaceti
Spermaceti protects the stomach lining from being bitten by squids. Very often, the sperm whale regurgitates it in large amounts. The spermaceti extracted from the head of sperm whale solidifies when it is exposed to low temperature condition. Commercially, it is used in making machine oils, candles, soaps, and other cosmetic products.
Other than humans, sperm whales are threatened by very few natural predators; the killer whale (orcas) being one of them. Unfortunately, their population has declined significantly due to large-scale whaling. Also, pygmy and dwarf sperm whales are rare species. In their natural habitat, the lifespan of a sperm whale is about 70 years.
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