Fin whales are also called the Finback whale as well as the Razorback, it is a larger marine mammal that belongs to a suborder of Baleen whales. It is one of the biggest marine mammals second to only the blue whale.
These whales are discovered in every major ocean, differing from polar to tropical waters. These whales are only found to be absent in waters near the ice pack at the poles and small areas of water away from the open ocean. The highest population density is seen in temperate and cool waters.
A Fin whales food consists of small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans including copepods and krill.
Like the majority of big whales, the fin whale has been extremely hunted in the 20th century and is actually an endangered species.
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New DNA evidence is showing that the fin whale may be very closely related to the humpback whale, but because of one study it also suggest that the Fin whale is also related to the Grey whale. In around 2006, two subspecies got named, both possessing particular physical features and vocalizations. First was the northern fin whale, B. p. physalus which inhabits the North Atlantic, and the second was the southern fin whale, B. p. quoyi which occupies the Southern …show more content…
The fin whale is a filter-feeder, it feeds on small schooling fish, squid and small crustaceans including copepods and krill. In the 19th century, the fin whale was many times hunted by open-boat whalers, but it was actually safe because of its speed and it many times would sink after killed. But then steam-powered boats and harpoons that exploded on contact were introduced and made it possible to kill and stick, this happened along with Blue and Sei whales on a huge scale
The International Whaling Commission banned hunting in the Southern Hemisphere in 1976. The Fin whale was granted full protection by the IWC for commercial whaling.
Not only humpback, minkes, sperm, and many other smaller “Protected species” meats can also be found in markets even today they are mostly "byproducts" of entanglements, and one case scientifically revealed that at least some humpbacks with other species were illegally hunted in EEZ of antiwhaling nations such as off Mexico or South
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.
The Killer Whale is a part of the toothed whale (odontoceti) suborder. The toothed whale suborder is consisted exclusively of porpoises, whales and dolphins that are born with teeth, instead of baleen plates. The Killer Whale is the largest animal in the dolphin family and is the only known to attack sharks, whales and other marine mammals.
Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
Killer whales have a recognizable coloration with a black back and white belly. They also have a noticeable o...
The book In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick, is an inspiring story about an Essex from Nantucket, getting attacked by a eighty-five ton sperm whale miles deep out in the ocean. In these times, going on any ocean expedition had its precautions. While much focus on food, drinking water, medication and a method to cure illness, the most overlooked impairment was the creatures of the ocean. While the men of this vessel left the docks as predators, the survivors of the ninety- three-day journey on three small harpoon boats came back as prey. This story gives a great depiction of the potential of the sperm whale as well as the devastation that they can bring.
In 2000, Dr. Philip D. Gingerich, a paleontologist from the University of Michigan, and his associates discovered two primitive whale fossils in the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. By dating the limestone located in the Habib Rahi Formation of the Balochistan Province, Gingerich estimated these fossils to be about 47 million years old. According to author David Braun of National Geographic News, “The researchers have classified one, Rodhocetus balochistanensis, as a new species of an existing genus, and the other, Artiocetus clavis, as a new species and new genus” (Braun, 5). The discovery of these two fossils suggests that the closest living relative of these primitive whales could possibly be the modern day hippopotamus. This suggested relationship is based on similarities in the bone structure between the two animals.
Blue whales tend to feed on krills in cold water at high latitudes during the summer time (WWF). On other hand during
These villages are still able to fish for food and trade materials. I am skeptical of arguments that small villages rely on whale meat for food because until relatively recently, the meat would spoil too quickly. Even today most countries, except for Japan, avoid whale meat. Advancements in the 19th and 20th centuries have rendered most of the products created by whales obsolete, such as petroleum, vegetable oil, steel-boned corsets and gas lamps (Encyclopedia Britannica,
...d the economic, ethical, and practical aspects of international regulation. Different views of ecology, culture, and legitimacy as they pertain to a valued resource and its exploitation for human purposes. While it is safe to say one must preserve the historical and cultural value of whaling nations and nations around the world, it can also be said of animals. While many nations continue to cling to their cultural ancestry background of whaling and the right for scientific research, it is proven that such human endeavors must be carefully and faithfully regulated. Commercial whaling has essentially seized to exist in the clear claims of such, but Japan and other nations are ever so slightly getting closer to that boundary. “We should remember in our dealings with animals that they are a sacred trust to us…[They] cannot speak for themselves” (Harriet Beecher Stowe).
These two types typically avoid each other at all costs. In the wild, orcas are predators, meaning they hunt down their food. The whole species has varied diets, depending on which region of the world they come from. “Resident whales feed on fish and squid. Transients feed on seals, sea lions, porpoises, and baleen whales” (Francis).
The morphology of whale sharks is mostly similar to aquatic fish species, but many specific traits help differentiate them from the rest. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and can reach a size of around 20 meters (Martins, C., and C. Knickle). This is often compared to the size of a school bus. The shark has a very large transverse mouth. They have 5 very large gill slits and have a larger first dorsal fin compared to the second one (Whale Shark). They have a distinctive spotted “checkerboard” pattern with stripes (Martins, C., and C. Knickle). It is not exactly known why they have this specific body marking. It is believed that the body markings act as a camouflage. The strange thing about whale sharks is that they have 300 rows of teeth that play no role in feeding (Martins, C., and C. Knickle).
The Humpback Whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, is part of the marine mammals group. They are found in oceans all over the world, they live in open waters. Even though they are mammals, they do not live on land (Monterey Bay Aquarium). Humpback whales are known for their magical song that can travel great distances. These gentle giants are omnivores, their main diet is krill. They are mostly found near coastlines feeding on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton and small fish. Humpbacks migrate annually from summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding water closer to the Equator. Humpback whales are powerful swimmers, and they use their massive tail fin, called a fluke to propel themselves through or even out of the water! Mothers and their young swim close together, often touching one another with their flippers with what appears to be gestures of affection. Even though it takes more than one year for a humpback whale to grow fully, mother whales leave them after one year (National Geographic).
Did you know in the world there are more than 90 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises? (WDC) The dolphin is a very important animal to the ocean and there are many different types to discover. In order to learn about dolphins, it is important to discuss where they live, their appearance, and what they eat. Some helpful words to understand are “dorsal fin”, a dorsal fin is the top pointed fin on the dolphins back, “flippers”, a flipper is a flat fin that dolphins use to swim, and “echolocation” is a tool dolphins use to find food by sounds bouncing off of objects (dictionary.com).
The whale shark is a species with a fascinating ecology, life history, behavior, anatomy and physiology. Background The whale shark’s broad, flat head and large mouth make it very recognizable. Females typically grow to be bigger than the males and weigh anywhere from 47,000lbs to 66,000lbs as adults.