Whales are found in various oceans around the world. Whales are mammals and must come to the surface to breathe air. Whales have a blowhole on top of their head, which they use to breathe, whale species migrate thousands of miles each year between feeding and breeding grounds.
Whales can live for decades; some species, like the bowhead whale, can live over 200 years. Whales are known for their high intelligence and complex social structures. Whales often breach which is believed to be a form of communication or play.
Whales tail known as a fluke, is unique to each individual, much like a human fingerprint. Whales are about 90 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Orcas known as killer whales, orcas are actually the largest species of dolphin.
Whales have excellent eyesight both above and below water. Whales have a keen sense of hearing and can detect sounds from miles away. Many whale species form strong social bonds and live in groups called pods.
Some whales rise vertically out of the water to look around, a behavior known as spyhopping. Adult whales have few natural predators, calves can fall prey to large sharks and orcas.
Here are facts of Whales of ocean – Whale watching
1. Blue Whale are found in all the world’s oceans, but primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have lived on Earth, blue whale’s heart can weigh as much as a car, Whales use complex sounds to communicate, often referred to as songs.
2. Humpback Whale are found in oceans and seas around the world, often seen in coastal waters. Male humpback whales are famous for their long, complex songs, which can last for hours.
3. Gray Whale found in the North Pacific Ocean, with significant populations off the coasts of North America and Asia. Gray whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling up to 12,000 miles round trip.
4. Orcas whales are found in all oceans, from the Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas. Toothed whales, like orcas, have teeth, while baleen whales have baleen plates to filter food from water. Toothed whales use echolocation to navigate and hunt in the dark depths of the ocean.
5. Sperm Whale are found in deep waters around the world, especially in the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere. Sperm whales can dive more than 1,000 meters deep and hold their breath for up to 90 minutes.
6. Minke Whale are found in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and the Southern Hemisphere.
7. Fin Whale -are found in all major oceans, preferring deep offshore waters.
Whale species are endangered due to threas like hunting, entanglement in fishing gear, and pollution. Baleen is made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails. Some whale species shed their skin, often by rubbing against surfaces.
Whales can pass on behaviors and skills through generations, showing evidence of cultural transmission. Whale watching is a popular activity and an important industry in many coastal regions, promoting conservation and awareness.