They are mammals, and they share the defining traits of that group: they breathe air , are warm-blooded, give live birth, suckle their young on milk, and have hair. All are entirely aquatic, with specialized adaptations such as flippers and tail flukes for living in water.
What is the function of a whale arm?
In belugas, the dorsal fin has transformed into a dorsal crest, which allows the animals to break through thin ice to breathe . For other, faster species (e.g. dolphins, killer whales and porpoises), the large dorsal fin enhances their hydrodynamics; in other words, it helps them slip through the water more efficiently.
What are the primary functions of a whale?
Lawrence. A summary of their responses follows. Like all living beings, whales occupy a role in the food chain and thus contribute to the balance of the marine ecosystem. As predators, they feed on fish and invertebrates; as prey, they may be hunted by other predators (sharks, whales, etc.)
What do whales do for the ecosystem?
“Among their many ecological roles, whales recycle nutrients and enhance primary productivity in areas where they feed .” They do this by feeding at depth and releasing fecal plumes near the surface — which supports plankton growth — a remarkable process described as a “whale pump.” Whales also move nutrients thousands ...
Why whales are so important?
Whales play a vital role in the marine ecosystem where they help provide at least half of the oxygen you breathe, combat climate change , and sustain fish stocks. ... Different species of whales feed on a range of marine creatures, including krill and fish, in the dark depths of the world’s oceans.
How does a whale behave?
Research into baleen whale behavior is ongoing. Some behaviors may be interpreted as being related to food-gathering, aggression, excitement, warning, visual inspection, or mating . Some baleen whales slap their pectoral flippers, tail flukes, or head on the surface of the water, which creates loud sounds under water.
Do whales fart?
Yes, whales do fart. ... I’m yet to experience this, but I know of some lucky scientists who have seen a humpback whale fart. They tell me it looks like bubbles coming out underneath its body near the tail. That’s where the whale bum is — the smellier blowhole.
What is the function of a human arm?
The function of the human arm is to reach out and grab anything, from food to tools to hand-holds , that may be helpful.
What is the structure and function of a whale?
Whales have adaptations for rapid, deep diving and long submersion ; e.g., broad-bore Eustachian tubes, no pinnae, and no air-feed external canals, that impact sound reception. In odontocetes, two soft tissue channels conduct sound to the ear.
What is whale flipper?
In animals with two flippers, such as whales, the flipper refers solely to the forelimbs . ... The dorsal structure on cetaceans is called the “dorsal fin” and the large cetacean tails are referred to primarily as flukes but occasionally as “caudal fins”; neither of these structures are flippers.
Why is whale poop important?
The richness of whale poop
So whale poop acts as a fertiliser that increases phytoplankton growth , leading to a more productive ecosystem and enhanced atmospheric carbon dioxide removal. If whale populations had not been hunted to near-extinction, whales would have recycled more iron because of their abundant numbers.
How does whaling affect us?
When humans hunt and fish, they tend to favor animals that provide significant resources . ... This has a negative effect on species and ecosystems, and can also impact the climate: When whales and other large animals flourish in the ocean, they carry a substantial amount of carbon to the sea floor upon dying.
Where do whales poop?
When a whale releases its excrement the whales poop comes out as an almost liquid form of fecal matter (often in a plume-like cloud ) and is light enough that it does not sink to the bottom sea but floats across the top of the ocean; in some cases the excrement may also come out in chunks rather than a plume-like cloud.
Do whales eat humans?
Experts noted that whales do not eat people , but consume small aquatic lifeforms like fish, squid and krill. ... — a popular site for whale watching — when suddenly a humpback whale breached, nearly killing the kayakers. But whales do not eat people, whereas sharks often mistake humans for food.
Where do whales mostly live?
Whales can be found inhabiting all of the world’s major oceans , from the Arctic and Antarctic oceans to the tropical waters in and around the equator’s center. Depending on species and migration patterns, some whales may be found particularly abundant in some locations while completely absent in others.
What is the most endangered whale?
The North Atlantic right whale is one of the world’s most endangered large whale species, with less than 400 individuals remaining. Two other species of right whales exist: the North Pacific right whale, which is found in the North Pacific Ocean, and the Southern right whale, which is found in the southern hemisphere.
