Whales migrate over very long distances yearly especially the Baleen whale that migrate in groups which are also known as pods from the cold water where they are known to feed to warm water which they use as breeding grounds.
The Baleen is a little more independent as this species will migrate on its own and they form small pods as well when migrating. These mammals are well known for forming very strong bonds among the pod especially a calf and mother. Some of these mammals travel in large groups and form a strong bond making them effective hunters and the toothed species form these pods. The young claves are also looked after and protected by the group.
The whale gives birth to live young unlike most fish which lay eggs. The females like land mammals have mammary glands from which the calves suckle. These creatures breed in warm waters which are seasonal and the females usually have a single calf every one to three years. The female carries her young for nine months and some carry for eighteen months this varies from species to species.
When the female has given birth the baby can swim almost instantly and the females look after their babies for a year and the babies will continuously feed off their mother's milk. The females are extremely protective of their calves. The whale song which is a specialized communication system can spread for many kilometres under the sea.
The sounds these mammals make such as clicking and whistling which is common among the toothed species are used as a means of echolocation and at the same time they mark their territory when it mating season and this whale song can last for quite a while whereas the Baleens whale song has a low frequency as opposed to the other species.
Whales have defence mechanisms whereby the toothed species use their teeth to kill their prey as well as protect themselves. Most of the toothed species hunt cooperatively by catching and killing large prey such as the orcas are capable of killing a young blue whale and humpbacks use a method known as bubble net feeding which allows them to catch large amounts of small fish during a feeding.
The Baleen is a little more independent as this species will migrate on its own and they form small pods as well when migrating. These mammals are well known for forming very strong bonds among the pod especially a calf and mother. Some of these mammals travel in large groups and form a strong bond making them effective hunters and the toothed species form these pods. The young claves are also looked after and protected by the group.
The whale gives birth to live young unlike most fish which lay eggs. The females like land mammals have mammary glands from which the calves suckle. These creatures breed in warm waters which are seasonal and the females usually have a single calf every one to three years. The female carries her young for nine months and some carry for eighteen months this varies from species to species.
When the female has given birth the baby can swim almost instantly and the females look after their babies for a year and the babies will continuously feed off their mother's milk. The females are extremely protective of their calves. The whale song which is a specialized communication system can spread for many kilometres under the sea.
The sounds these mammals make such as clicking and whistling which is common among the toothed species are used as a means of echolocation and at the same time they mark their territory when it mating season and this whale song can last for quite a while whereas the Baleens whale song has a low frequency as opposed to the other species.
Whales have defence mechanisms whereby the toothed species use their teeth to kill their prey as well as protect themselves. Most of the toothed species hunt cooperatively by catching and killing large prey such as the orcas are capable of killing a young blue whale and humpbacks use a method known as bubble net feeding which allows them to catch large amounts of small fish during a feeding.
About the Author:
Henry Adams has been living on the East Coast of America for nearly fifty years during which time he has spend a great amount of time whale watching and gathering whale facts.
0 comments:
Post a Comment