Whale migration patterns the world over demonstrate how truly complex whale life in our biosphere really is. The most penetrating question that continues to beguile marine biologists and those who specialize in whale species groups is why do these warm-blooded, complex and diverse mammal life forms migrate as they do in seasonal patterns?
When it comes to the many diverse species of whale, there really doesn't appear to be any particular species that doesn't undergo some form of migration or another. Almost all take on a migration that takes them from some point on the world ocean to another point which usually results in a migratory pattern that goes from the northern latitudes to the southern latitudes or vice versa.
Typically, a whale spends one part of its year feeding and storing up fat for not only the migration but energy stores when it reaches its destination. It will usually spend the feeding season in cooler waters in high latitude locations and then when winter rolls around begin migrating to tropical waters in southern and lower latitude areas in order to mate and give birth. It's part of a timeless pattern.
A typical example of whale migratory behavior is that exhibited by the blue whale. It will spend its days in the northern hemisphere feeding extensively. Come mating and birthing season, it will begin a move down south to warmer tropical waters where it will mate and then deliver a single calf. Why it does this in such a pattern is still a matter of speculation.
Most marine biologists have a couple of different answers, with the most common being that the whale has learned to evolve in order to take advantage of feeding opportunities existing in cooler waters but also to take advantage of birthing and mating environments in summer waters. These waters also give a calf born of a mother to learn how to begin to take care of itself in a more welcoming environment
What is for certain about these magnificent animals is that their lives are impressively complex and quite wonderful to behold. They can undertake migrations thousands of miles in length in order to carry out their full lives. Their behavior patterns are involved and ancient in ways we cannot understand, and these extremely intelligent mammals continue to beguile us immensely.
When it comes to the many diverse species of whale, there really doesn't appear to be any particular species that doesn't undergo some form of migration or another. Almost all take on a migration that takes them from some point on the world ocean to another point which usually results in a migratory pattern that goes from the northern latitudes to the southern latitudes or vice versa.
Typically, a whale spends one part of its year feeding and storing up fat for not only the migration but energy stores when it reaches its destination. It will usually spend the feeding season in cooler waters in high latitude locations and then when winter rolls around begin migrating to tropical waters in southern and lower latitude areas in order to mate and give birth. It's part of a timeless pattern.
A typical example of whale migratory behavior is that exhibited by the blue whale. It will spend its days in the northern hemisphere feeding extensively. Come mating and birthing season, it will begin a move down south to warmer tropical waters where it will mate and then deliver a single calf. Why it does this in such a pattern is still a matter of speculation.
Most marine biologists have a couple of different answers, with the most common being that the whale has learned to evolve in order to take advantage of feeding opportunities existing in cooler waters but also to take advantage of birthing and mating environments in summer waters. These waters also give a calf born of a mother to learn how to begin to take care of itself in a more welcoming environment
What is for certain about these magnificent animals is that their lives are impressively complex and quite wonderful to behold. They can undertake migrations thousands of miles in length in order to carry out their full lives. Their behavior patterns are involved and ancient in ways we cannot understand, and these extremely intelligent mammals continue to beguile us immensely.
About the Author:
Studying whales has always Allan Hoffland's passion for as long as he can remember and has always pondered about whale migration.
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