52ºc, New York
30 strange facts about whales
If you love these marine mammals, then you'll love the most interesting things about these whales, from their size to their reproductive habits.
Whale is the common name for the species of marine mammal.
The term 'whale' usually excludes dolphins and dolphins.
Toothed whales have small teeth mainly used for hunting.
The food filter has baleens that filter plankton.
Whales are part of the "cetacea" family because they have fins, flukes and blowholes.
The largest whale in the world is the blue whale 30 meters high and more than 180 tons, while the smallest one is a sperm whale that is 3.5 meters high.
Whales are hunted for meat, bones and medicine.
Due to whale hunting, most of the species are currently endangered.
The hippopotamus is the closest living relative of the whale.
Whales are descendants of the dinosaur Artiodactyl, which is a terrestrial species.
They are warm-blooded creatures.
Their blubber stores energy and insulates the body, helping them survive the harsh winter.
Jaw whales have two blow holes, while serrated whales have only one.
The male whale is called ‘bull’.
Most cows give birth to a single calf, born on the fore-tail to help reduce drowning.
Calves can reach adulthood from 7 - 10 years.
Whales live in families, called fruiting.
Only one brain hemisphere of the whale is sleeping at a time.
Scientists believe that whales have the ability to teach, learn, cooperate with others, intrigue and grieve.
Trespassing or cracking the ocean's surface can be considered a sign of flirting, danger, domination and play.
Killer whales scout in water using their buoyancy.
When a whale hits its head (tail) flukes into the water, this is to scare the smaller fish, as it feeds.
Whales communicate through a series of "songs".
Whale watching is a popular pastime among travelers, in which groups are taken to the ocean on a large boat to witness mammal behavior and antics.
Whales have many characteristics in religion and mythology.
Moby Dick (in the novel of the same name) and Monstro (in Disney's Pinocchio) are the scariest whales in fiction.
There are many famous movies depicting whales, including Big Miracle, the Free Willy franchise, Moby Dick, Pinocchio and Whale Rider.
Injured whales are often brought into captivity to survive.
Whales in captivity are often used for shows, such as at Sea World in Orlando, Florida.
The most famous killer whales are:
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