The blue whale is the largest mammal that has ever inhabited Earth, yet not much is known about this fascinating creatures that roam our oceans. This research examines the physical description and habits of the blue whale, the habitat in which they live in, and the primary threats this endangered species face today. Even though hunting was ban in 1966 by the International Whaling Commission, blue whales are still exposed to numerous threats today, all of which are caused by humans. The population is so low that any further killing may lead to the extinction of this species in the future. The blue whale is the largest and loudest animal ever known to have existed on Earth. These magnificent creatures can grow up to 100 feet and can weigh more than 200 tones. Their heart is the size of a small car, and a child could crawl through their arteries. Recent studies by the National Geographic Channel suggest that blue whales use vocalization sounds to communicate with one another across the vastness of the sea. This study also suggest that blue whales use their evolved sense of hearing to navigate and to detect food in the depths of the ocean. Blue whales are baleen species, which means they have fringed blades hanging from their upper jaws instead of teeth, called baleen. Blue whales have a mottled gray coloring, however, beneath the surface they appear blue. Blue whales are air-breathing animals yet they can stay underwater for more than 30 minutes. The blue whale habitat ranges from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere; they can be found in all major oceans. They are marine mammals that spend their summers feeding in the cold and temperate waters at the North and South Poles, but, during the winter and spring they migrat... ... middle of paper ... ... we know that the blue whale is the largest and the loudest animal that ever lived on Earth. Blue whales can be found in all majors oceans from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere. Also blue whale is an endangered species due commercial whaling during the 1900s. However, recent studies suggest that vessel strikes and noise pollution is the main reason blue whales population has not yet recover from the endangered species list. Although there are international laws that protects them, there is still much more work that needs to be done in order to save the blue whales from extinction. I believe blue whales are the most fascinating creatures of the sea. Nonetheless, it is our responsibility to protect the blue whale the best we can to ensure that videos over the internet and pictures in books is not our only option for seeing blue whales in the future.
Robert L. Pitman. "Whalewatcher: Killer Whale: The top, top Predator ." Journal of the American Cetacean Society (2011): 2. Journal.
When an intelligent animal accustomed to swimming in thousands of miles of open ocean is placed in an environment only twice its size, is separated from its species, and is forced to perform tricks, there are bound to be consequences. The captivity of these animals should be banned and National Reserves and whale tours should be used to educate the public while admiring these animals' true beauty. There are few experiences more meaningful than witnessing a killer whale enjoying the freedom of the open ocean.
Captivity is a term that has a range of definitions. The least restrictive would be an enclosed area that attempts to meet the physical social, physical, and medical needs of these animals. The most restrictive provide limited area for movement, social interaction, and does not provide needed regular medical attention. When referring to dialect in killer whales we are talking abo...
McLendon, Russell. "10 of the Most Endangered Whales on Earth." MNN. N.p., 23 June 2010. Web. 13 Jan. 2014.
Their dorsal fin is extremely long, tampered and pointed in a triangular shape or rounded and curved towards the end. The skull is oval shaped and the beak is extremely short and rounded at the end. The killer whale’s jaw is powerful with teeth that are able to tear apart flesh of their prey. They can withstand the jolting, wiggling and hurtling movements of prey that are trying to escape. The killer whale is born with a single blow hole instead of two. Their flippers are paddle shaped with rounded ends and flukes are tapered back and pointed at the end resembling to a triangle/pyramid
Francis, David R. “Communities of Killer Whales.” The Christian Science Monitor. National Newspapers Core, 15
As summer approaches, blue whales migrate to feeding grounds near the north or south poles. Concentrations of krill are greatest in these areas during the summer, and it is then that the whales eat huge amounts of food. Groups of blue whales can be seen at this time, especially around Antarctica. In the fall, after feeding for half a year, the whales begin to swim toward warmer water to mate and to give birth to their young in the warmer, calmer water. Females give birth to one calf every two or three years. Newborn calves are about 23 ft long and weigh almost 6000 lbs. The hungry babies may drink more than 50 gal of rich milk from their mothers daily, and grow very quickly, gaining up to 200 lbs a day.
The blue whale has a long and slender body which can vary in some shade of bluish
In this research report I will discuss the Killer Whales unique characteristics; complex migratory patterns, how and why it is endangered, and most importantly how we can help them.
In conclusion, education, research and conservation is a very important role that we can make to improve the lives of Orca whales, but at what cost? When you have to take an animal out of its natural habitat and deprive it of all its natural instincts, cause unnecessary emotional and physical problems, and put the lives of the whales and their trainers at risk, what are we learning? That it’s okay to possess them merely for our entertainment and profit? A wild animal’s life remains destroyed and many lives have ended, all for dangerous entertainment.
The origin of modern day whales, a mystery that has puzzled paleontologists for years, may have just been solved with the discovery of an ankle bone. This discovery might sound simple and unimportant, but the bones of these ancient animals hold many unanswered questions and provide solid proof of origin and behavior. The relationship between whales and other animals has proven to be difficult because whales are warm-blooded, like humans, yet they live in the sea. The fact that they are warm-blooded suggests that they are related to some type of land animal. However, the questions of exactly which animal, and how whales evolved from land to water, have remained unanswered until now.
Blue whales tend to feed on krills in cold water at high latitudes during the summer time (WWF). On other hand during
“Whales provide us with the food for our bodies, bones for our tools and implements and spirits for our souls.” “We haven’t hunted the whale for 70 years but have hunted them in our hearts and in our minds.” “Whales are a central focus of our culture today as they have been from the beginning of time.”
Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
Rowat, D., and K. S. Brooks. 2012. A review of the biology, fisheries and conservation of the whale shark Rhincodon typus. Jour. Of. Fish. Bio. 80:1019-1056. (DOI:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03252.x).