30 Funky Facts About Whales!

30 Funky Facts About Whales

If you love these marine mammals, then you’ll love these most interesting facts about whales, from their sizes to breeding habits.

1. Whales are a common name for marine mammals.
2. The term ‘whale’ often excludes dolphins and porpoises.
3. Toothed whales have small teeth that are primarily used for hunting. Examples of these whales include beluga, orca (also known as the ‘killer’) and sperm.
4. Filter feeders have baleens that filter plankton. Examples of these whales include blue, humpback and minke.
5. Whales are part of the ‘cetacea’ family as they have fins, flukes, and blowholes.
6. The largest whale in the world was the blue whale at 30 meters and over 180 tonnes, whereas the smallest was the pygmy sperm whale at 3.5m.
7. Whales have been hunted for their meat, bones and for medicinal purposes.
8. Due to the practice of whaling, most species are now endangered.
9. The hippopotamus is the whale’s closest living relative.
10. Whales are descended from the Artiodactyl species of dinosaurs, which were land livers.
11. They are warm-blooded creatures.
12. Their blubber stores energy and insulates the body, keeping them alive through harsh winters.
13. Baleen whales have two blowholes, whereas the toothed whales have only one.
14. Male whales are called ‘bulls’. Females are known as ‘cows’. Newborns are called ‘calves’.
15. Most cows give births to one single calf, which is born tail first to help minimize drowning.
16. Calves can reach maturity between 7–10 years.
17. Whales live in families, known as pods.
18. Only one hemisphere of a whales brain is asleep at one time.
19. Scientists believe that whales are capable of teaching, learning, co-operating with others, scheming, and grieving. This was believed after studies found their cells similar to the human cells which are involved with social interactions.
20. Breaching or cresting the surface of the ocean can be seen as signs of courting, danger, dominance, and play.
21. Killer whales spy hop in the water using their buoyancy. This is due to their inquisitive nature.

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