What Do You Know About Whales?

Whales are some of the largest creatures on this planet. Since they spend their lives in the ocean, it can be challenging to actually ever see one in the wild, unless you live in a place near water that they travel through or you go out in a boat. It’s certainly worth it to take a trip somewhere to try to see whales; they’re truly majestic creatures and are actually very gentle, even with their huge size. Read on to learn more about whales and see how fascinating they are!

Different kinds

There are many different kinds of whales in the wild. Whales are divided into two groups: baleen and toothed whales. Baleen whales get their designation because they have a comblike fringe on their jaw that helps them collect food. Baleen whales have a diet that consists of plankton, small fish, and crustaceans. Toothed whales are exactly what you’d expect; they have teeth. Toothed whales survive by eating fish, squid, and other marine animals. Whales that are considered baleen are sei, gray, bowhead, right, humpback, and blue whales. Toothed whales are beluga and sperm whales.

Basic facts

Whales travel all throughout the world’s oceans, taking vast migration routes each year. Where exactly they travel depends on the particular species of whale, but many spend a significant amount of time in the Arctic, especially during their feeding seasons. When it’s time to breed, whales head to warmer waters. In order to communicate, whales use a series of complex sounds known as “echolocation.” Since whales are mammals, they need to breath air. They’ll regularly rise to the surface and breech, in order to get enough air to continue their travels.

Social life

Throughout their lives, whales live in complex social groups known as pods. These pods usually consist of many family members and the whales will travel, feed, and live together. Some whales may also travel alone. Female whales only have one calf after a 9-15 month gestation period. After the calf is born, it’ll stay with its mother usually for over a year, which leads to strong bonds between family members.

Current status

The current status of whales differs from species to species. Various species were hunted almost to extinction because of commercial whaling and they are still attempting to fully recover. Other species are a lot more stable, but all whales are threatened by climate change. As ocean temperatures change, it can severely affect the areas whales live in and their migration patterns, as well as their food resources. It’s important to raise awareness of this issue and help out in any way you can, whether by simply sharing information to educate others or by donating.