30 Funky Facts About Whales!
If you love these marine mammals, then you’ll love these most interesting facts about whales, from their sizes to breeding habits.
- Whales are a common name for marine mammals.
- The term ‘whale’ often excludes dolphins and porpoises.
- Toothed whales have small teeth that are primarily used for hunting. Examples of these whales include beluga, orca (also known as the ‘killer’) and sperm.
- Filter feeders have baleens that filter plankton. Examples of these whales include blue, humpback and minke.
- Whales are part of the ‘cetacea’ family as they have fins, flukes, and blowholes.
- The largest whale in the world was the blue whale at 30 meters and over 180 tonnes, whereas the smallest was the pygmy sperm whale at 3.5m.
- Whales have been hunted for their meat, bones and for medicinal purposes.
- Due to the practice of whaling, most species are now endangered.
- The hippopotamus is the whale’s closest living relative.
- Whales are descended from the Artiodactyl species of dinosaurs, which were land livers.
- They are warm-blooded creatures.
- Their blubber stores energy and insulates the body, keeping them alive through harsh winters.
- Baleen whales have two blowholes, whereas the toothed whales have only one.
- Male whales are called ‘bulls’. Females are known as ‘cows’. Newborns are called ‘calves’.
- Most cows give births to one single calf, which is born tail first to help minimize drowning.
- Calves can reach maturity between 7–10 years.
- Whales live in families, known as pods.
- Only one hemisphere of a whales brain is asleep at one time.
- Scientists believe that whales are capable of teaching, learning, co-operating with others, scheming, and grieving. This was believed after studies found their cells similar to the human cells which are involved with social interactions.
- Breaching or cresting the surface of the ocean can be seen as signs of courting, danger, dominance, and play.
- Killer whales spy hop in the water using their buoyancy. This is due to their inquisitive nature.
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