As a warm-blooded mammal that lives in the oceans and seas of the planet, there is some interesting information about the whale that can be easily accessed with just a little bit of study. This endlessly fascinating animal has been the subject of intensive study on the part of many scientists and it is believed to have a complex social structure that we are trying to understand.
When discussing their evolution, it always comes as a surprise to those who don't know about whales that their closest living relative is the hippopotamus. Both animals descended from a common ancestor that lived in India, in Kashmir, over 54 million years in the past. This ancestor finally entered the ocean for good nearly 50 million years ago.
Whales communicate with each other in a variety of ways, the most common probably being what is known as whale song. This particular "singing" has proven to be extremely diverse and complex in quality and characteristic. Whales use it in a variety of ways. Also, other than certain species of primates, whales -- along with dolphins, humans and elephants -- whales seem to be one of the few species that are self-aware.
They also live their lives within an interesting societal structure. The heart of this structure is the pod. Within a pod exists a dominant bull and subservient bulls beneath him along with a number of cows and calves. Subservient bulls tend to live slightly separate from the rest of the pod and usually will leave to go out on their own and attempt to start their own pod at some point as they mature sufficiently.
As far as size goes, certain species of whales are truly massive. In fact, one species of whale (the Blue) is the largest animal to have ever lived and is also the largest mammal currently in existence. It can easily weigh as much as 150 tons and be as much as 105 feet in length. Whales are divided into two sub orders; toothed whales and baleen whales, which filter seawater through their mouths to get their food.
Toothed whales are considered to be predators, with the most well-known probably being the Orca or killer whale. It wasn't until the last 50 years or so that the whale has been looked at as more than just a convenient food source or commodity. Some species of whales have been so completely over-hunted that they are in danger of extinction if steps aren't taken to protect them.
When discussing their evolution, it always comes as a surprise to those who don't know about whales that their closest living relative is the hippopotamus. Both animals descended from a common ancestor that lived in India, in Kashmir, over 54 million years in the past. This ancestor finally entered the ocean for good nearly 50 million years ago.
Whales communicate with each other in a variety of ways, the most common probably being what is known as whale song. This particular "singing" has proven to be extremely diverse and complex in quality and characteristic. Whales use it in a variety of ways. Also, other than certain species of primates, whales -- along with dolphins, humans and elephants -- whales seem to be one of the few species that are self-aware.
They also live their lives within an interesting societal structure. The heart of this structure is the pod. Within a pod exists a dominant bull and subservient bulls beneath him along with a number of cows and calves. Subservient bulls tend to live slightly separate from the rest of the pod and usually will leave to go out on their own and attempt to start their own pod at some point as they mature sufficiently.
As far as size goes, certain species of whales are truly massive. In fact, one species of whale (the Blue) is the largest animal to have ever lived and is also the largest mammal currently in existence. It can easily weigh as much as 150 tons and be as much as 105 feet in length. Whales are divided into two sub orders; toothed whales and baleen whales, which filter seawater through their mouths to get their food.
Toothed whales are considered to be predators, with the most well-known probably being the Orca or killer whale. It wasn't until the last 50 years or so that the whale has been looked at as more than just a convenient food source or commodity. Some species of whales have been so completely over-hunted that they are in danger of extinction if steps aren't taken to protect them.
About the Author:
Nick de Kock has been Watching the whale for nearly fifty years and is fascinated by the way whales communicate with one another.
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