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Whales are among the most fascinating and majestic animals on our planet. Ranging in size from creatures just a few feet long to enormous specimens that can reach over 100 feet in length, whales are mammals, like humans, and exhibit tremendous intelligence. Most whales are highly social and live in groups known as pods. Whale species are split up into two groups: baleen whales, or Mysticeti, and toothed whales, or Odontoceti. Scientists know of 88 species of whales currently living in Earth’s oceans. Many people are fascinated by whale song, which is one way that whales communicate with each other. If you’re captivated by whales and wish to know more, you may be interested in finding marine biology camps where you can learn more about these amazing creatures of the deep. Read on and enjoy these facts about a few species of these grandiose sea-dwellers. Blue Whale Blue whales are part of the baleen whale species group and average nearly 100 feet in length, making it the largest animal currently living on Earth. These whales weigh an average of 200 tons, larger than even the largest known species of dinosaurs. The blue whales’ name is derived from the bluish-gray color of the upper, or dorsal, portion of their bodies. At one time, blue whales lived in oceans all over the planet, but relentless hunting decreased their numbers drastically. Blue whales feed on krill, a small, shrimp-like fish, and can consume nearly 4 tons of krill in a single day. Today, blue whales are concentrated in five large groups in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and other locations. Blue whales are extremely vocal, but communicate in sound ranges below that of human hearing. Humpback Whale The humpback whale is another member of the baleen whales species group. Their size can range upward of 50 feet long. Humpbacks are well-known for their long pectoral fins and wide tail, which are familiar sights from the many videos of these whales breaching the water and slapping the surface with their fins and tails. Humpback whales are found in oceans around the globe, but their once-enormous numbers have been greatly reduced over the years due to hunting that nearly drove the species to extinction. Male humpback whales produce the low, mournful-sounding “songs” that most people associate with whales. Like blue whales, humpback whales feed on krill. Sperm Whale Captain Ahab’s all-consuming animosity toward the sperm whale in Moby-Dick is one of the cornerstones of whale lore and fiction, although the great white whale in the classic novel is based on a real-life story. Sperm whales are members of the toothed whale species group and are readily identifiable by their blunt, heavy-headed profile. The brain of a sperm whale weighs around 17 pounds, much larger than a human brain, making it the largest animal brain on Earth. Sperm whales can be as long as 67 feet from tip to tail, and it is the largest of the toothed whales. Giant squids and octopi are sperm whales’ favorite foods, which they catch on long dives deep below the water. Killer Whale Killer whales are among the best-known examples of ocean life in the world, since their distinctive black and white markings make them easily identifiable. Also known as orcas, they are members of the toothed whale species group and are the largest members of the same family as dolphins—which, yes, are also whales. Killer whales are found all over the world but tend to prefer colder waters. Dominating their environment as apex predators, killer whales eat just about everything from fish to sea mammals, birds, and turtles, and sometimes, in groups, prey on larger whale species. In the wild, killer whales are not known to harm humans, but several recent attacks on humans by killer whales in marine life parks has helped raise peoples’ awareness of the intelligence of whale species and is causing organizations to rethink the practice of keeping killer whales in captivity. Whales are just part of the amazing life that can be found in the world’s oceans. You can explore this undersea world further by locating marine biology camps that offer you adventure, excitement, and learning in a fun environment.
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