Beluga Whale
All About Whales
Large fins, lungs for breathing, sharp teeth, and long baleen – here we share everything you need to know about whales!
What Are Whales?
Whales are mammals that live in water. Most of them inhabit the ocean, while some can also be found in rivers. They breathe air just like we do, which is why they need to come to the surface regularly to breathe. Along with seals and manatees, they are the only mammals with fins. They are classified into two groups: toothed whales and baleen whales. These groups differ in their body structure and behavior. Toothed whales are typically fast hunters with many sharp teeth. Baleen whales have horn-like plates instead of teeth. These plates function like a pasta strainer, filtering small marine creatures from the water. Toothed whales use echolocation to navigate and locate prey, while baleen whales are known for their beautiful whale songs.
Main Characteristics of Whales
- There are about 90 species of whales. They are divided into baleen whales and toothed whales.
- Baleen are long, horn plates that extend from the upper jaw into the mouth, allowing whales to filter their food from the ocean.
- Baleen whales include blue whale, humpback whale, gray whale and minke whale.
- Toothed whales include dolphins, orcas and sperm whales.
- All whales are carnivores.
- Whales live in all seas: Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic and Antarctic.
- Whales live in saltwater, except for river dolphins, which live in freshwater.
- Whales (and manatees) are the only mammals that spend their entire lives in water.
- The blue whale is the largest and heaviest animal in the world.
- The longest-lived whale is the bowhead whale. It lived to be over 200 years old.
- The blue whale is the largest and heaviest animal on the planet. It can reach lengths of 98-108 feet (30-33 meters) and weigh between 180 and 200 tons.
- The smallest whale is the vaquita, also known as the California porpoise. It only grows to about 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and can weigh up to 110 pounds (50 kg).
- The oldest whale is the Greenland whale, which can live for over 200 years.
Whale Family Tree
Top 3 Features of Whales
1. Fins
Whales possess two pectoral fins, a dorsal fin, and a tail fin. The pectoral fins are modified arms that assist in steering. The dorsal fin primarily helps maintain balance at high speeds, which is why it is quite small in slower swimming whales. The tail fin serves as the propulsion or motor.
2. Streamlined Body
Whales have an elongated, streamlined body. This shape reduces water resistance and helps them conserve energy while moving.
3. Sounds
Whales do not produce their sounds with vocal cords but rather with an organ located in their nose. This allows whales to create a variety of sounds: they squeak, whistle, click, grunt, and pop. Humpback whales even sing melodies for hours.
