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Whales are large, intelligent, aquatic mammals. They breathe air through blowhole(s) into lungs (unlike fish who breathe using gills). Whales have sleek, streamlined bodies that move easily through the water. They are the only mammals, other than manatees (sea cows) that live their entire lives in the water, and the only mammals that have adapted to life in the open oceans Like all mammals: Whales breathe air into lungs, Whales have hair (although they have a lot less than land mammals, and have almost none as adults), Whales are warm-blooded (they maintain a high body temperature), Whales have mammary glands with which they nourish their young, Whales have a four-chambered heart. Next Start

Blue Whales Orca Whale or Killer Whale Humpback Whale Beluga Whale Next Start Exit For info on whales, click images

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The scientific name of Blue Whale is Balaenoptera musculus. The marine mammal can be as long as 108 feet and weigh 172 metric tons or even more. It is characterized by long and slender body, with various shades of bluish-grey in its dorsal area and a lighter shade underneath the body. Until the advent of the 20th century, Blue Whales were found in abundance in almost all the five oceans. However, in the present time, they are found in small numbers only and are confined to the North-East Pacific, Antarctic and Indian Ocean groups. Back

Orca Whale (the scientific name is Orcinus orca) or the killer whale is the most ferocious mammal in its class. An adult Orca Whale can be as long as 105 feet and weigh up to 200 tons. Orca Whale is characterized by black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eyes. These whales are born with a yellowish tint on their skin, which fades away and becomes white, as they grow older. Orca Whale is the largest species of dolphin family and is found in abundance in all oceans. Although named 'killer whale', it does not pose a threat to human life. Back

Humpback Whale, scientifically Megaptera novaeangliae, is also called Baleen Whale. The length of an adult Humpback Whale may range from 40 to 50 feet, while its typical weight is kg. It is characterized by a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobby head. The mammal shows acrobatic skills, by breaching and slapping the water. Most of the seas and all the oceans around the world serve as the habitat of Humpback Whales. However, like other mammals in their class, these whales have also fallen victim to over-hunting, leading to a drastic shrink in their population. Back

The scientific name of Beluga Whale is Delphinapterus leucas. It is also referred to as White Whale. An adult male Beluga Whale weighs between 1100 and 1600 kilograms, while its female counterpart would weigh somewhere between 700 and 1200 kilograms. It is around 15 feet in length. Beluga Whales are characterized by gray or brown colored skin, when born. The skin color fades away with time and becomes white or whitish grey color, when the whales grow older. Beluga Whale has an oily, fatty lump of tissue at the center of its forehead. It typically thrives in Arctic and sub- Arctic waters. Back

Standard 4sc-F2 PO.1 - Identify basic animal structures PO.2 – Describe function of basic animal function of basic animal structure Quiz Start

1. Name the four most common types of Whales. 2. Are whales fish or mammals? 3. Is the Orca or Killer Whale considered a Whale or a Dolphin? 4. Do whales breath using gills or lungs? Start