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Origins and taxonomy

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Wikipedia About Whales

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Origins and taxonomy

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All cetaceans, including whales, dolphins and porpoises, are descendants of land-living mammals of the Artiodactyl order (even-toed ungulate animals). Both cetaceans and artiodactyl are now classified under the super-order Cetartiodactyla which includes both whales and hippopotamuses. In fact, whales are the closest living relatives of hippopotamuses; they evolved from a common ancestor at around 54 million years ago. Whales entered the water roughly 50 million years ago. Cetaceans are divided into two suborders:

  • The baleen whales are characterized by baleen, a sieve-like structure in the upper jaw made of keratin, which they use to filter plankton from the water. They are the largest suborder of whale.
  • The toothed whales have teeth and prey on fish, squid, or both. An outstanding ability of this group is to sense their surrounding environment through echolocation.

A complete up-to-date taxonomical listing of all cetacean species, including all whales, is maintained at the Cetacea article.

Anatomy

Like all mammals, whales breathe air into lungs, are warm-blooded, feed their young milk from mammary glands, and have some (although very little) hair.

The body is fusiform, resembling the streamlined form of a fish. The forelimbs, also called flippers, are paddle-shaped. The end of the tail holds the fluke, or tail fins, which provide propulsion by vertical movement. Although whales generally do not possess hind limbs, some whales (such as sperm whales and baleen whales) sometimes have rudimentary hind limbs; some even with feet and digits. Most species of whale bear a fin on their backs known as a dorsal fin. Beneath the skin lies a layer of fat,so called blubber. It serves as an energy reservoir and also as insulation. Whales have a four-chambered heart. The neck vertebrae are fused in most whales, which provides stability during swimming at the expense of flexibility. They have a pelvis bone, which is a vestigial structure Whales breathe through their blowholes, located on the top of the head so the animal can remain submerged. Baleen whales have two; toothed whales have one. The shapes of whales' spouts when exhaling after a dive, when seen from the right angle, differ between species. Whales have a unique respiratory system that lets them stay underwater for long periods of time without taking in oxygen. Some whales, such as the Sperm Whale, can stay underwater for up to two hours holding a single breath. The Blue Whale is the largest known mammal that has ever lived, and the largest living animal, at up to 35 m (105ft) long and 150 tons. Whales generally live for 40-90 years,Fact: date=March 2008 depending on their species, and on rare occasions can be found to live over a century. Recently a fragment of a lance used by commercial whalers in the 19th century has been found in a bowhead whale caught off Alaska, which showed the whale to be between 115 and 130 years old. Furthermore, a technique for dating age from aspartic acid racemization in the whale eye, combined with a harpoon fragment, indicates an age of 211 years for one male, making bowhead whales the longest lived extant mammal species. Whale flukes often can be used as identifying markings, as is the case for humpback whales. This is the method by which the publicized errant Humphrey the whale was identified in three separate sightings.

Search results for Whales

HowStuffWorks "How Whales Work"

Whales are some of the largest living things on the planet. ... Other paleontologists believe that whales were more like modern wolves. ...www.howstuffworks.com/whale.htm

Whales - Wildlife of Antarctica - Antarctic Connection

Wildlife of Antarctica - Whales, Blue, Fin, Humpback, Minke, Orca, Southern Right, Sei, Sperm. ... Whales are considered by many to be the most magnificent and ...www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/whales/index....

Save the Whales

Educating children and adults about whales, dolphins, other marine mammals, environment, and their preservation.www.savethewhales.org/

NATURE. Humpback Whales | PBS

Learn about their mysterious habits and songs.www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/humpback/

Types of Whales

While there, the whales feed on the rich supply of krill (small prawn-like animals) ... Humpback and southern right whales follow a similar route each year, and many ...www.abc.net.au/oceans/whale/type.htm

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News about Whales

See British Columbia wildlife this fall

The Salt Lake TribuneFall is a good time to view bears, killer whales, dolphins, sea lions and seabirds when traveling British Columbia's Inside Passage on a nature or wildlife cruise.http://www.sltrib.com/themix/ci_10216987

3 orca pods visit central Puget Sound

KOMO SeattleAll three groups of Puget Sound killer whales made a sudden foray into Central Puget Sound on Tuesday, when observers spotted them off Kingston.http://www.komonews.com/news/local/30156544.html

Advice: Embrace 'Whales,' Close Tracks

BloodHorseThis year’s International Simulcast Conference opened Sept. 29 with some advice to the horseracing industry: Embrace the “whales” and computer-assisted wagering, and close some tracks to help improve the product at those that remain.http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=47321

Beaked whales: Sounding off

BBC NewsScientists are attempting to find out what is behind whale strandings.http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/7642366.stm

High court returns next week

USA TodayThe Supreme Court will have a slate of cases that could reshape the law for the next administration and for all Americans.http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2008-10-02-...

News about Whales

Manatee dies before reaching Florida

South Coast TodayManatees can survive on land better than whales because they have a more developed bone structure and can support their weight on land, Cady said. At SeaWorld, Dennis will be treated for cold stress and any other problems the rescuers find. SeaWorld's ... http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20...

There & Back

Carroll County OnlineJust stone tombs and poorly rendered pictures of whales and fish and the like. But at least they're open later than 3 p.m. I thought the replicas might be more interesting than the originals somehow, like when "The Simpsons" ridiculed/ improved the ... http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/10/13/featur...

Angelina Jolie Tops Most Valuable Faces List

WOKR 13Angelina Jolie 's face is a fortune! The actress was named by Forbes to have the top-selling face when it comes to magazine sales. Angelina has graced nearly 30 magazine covers just within the past year! She is currently featured on the upcoming ... http://www.13wham.com/entertainment/entertainmenttonight/sto...

Swimming with humpbacks: the journey of life

The IndependentThese images, captured by the French underwater photographer Yves Lefèvre, show how the two whales happily "dance" with their new friend before continuing on one of the world's most remarkable migrations. "This is one of my favourite pictures," said ... http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/swimming-wit...

Pollution Makes Oceans Noisier

US News and World ReportThe ocean may soon begin to sound more like New York City to dolphins and whales. As carbon dioxide levels rise and make the world's oceans warmer and more acidic, the increasing amounts of the gas could also make the seas noisier, especially in the ... http://www.usnews.com/articles/science/environment/2008/10/0...

Search results for Whales

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises, Cape Cod | Whale Watch Experience

Information on whales, whale songs, educational program, cruises and sunset whale watches. Departs from Milway Marina in Barnstable Harbor.http://www.whales.net/

Victoria San Juan Cruises

San Juan Island and Victoria B.C. cruises leaving from Bellingham, Washington. 100-ft. boat tours the islands and locates wildlife including orca whales.http://www.whales.com/

Animal & Nature Gifts from Whales & Friends Catalog

Animal & Nature themed gifts make great presents. A huge selection of animal & nature gifts at Whales & Friends Online Animal Catalog.http://www.whalesdirect.com/

Welcome to Save The Whales!

Help Save All Marine Mammals at Save the Whales. Whales, Dolphins, Save Whales, Whale Songs, Whale Issues, Threats to Whales, Whaling, Right Whales, Marine Mammals, Otters ... http://www.savethewhales.org/

Right whale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Right whales are baleen whales belonging to the genus Eubalaena. Three right whale species are recognised in this genus: Sometimes the family Balaenidae is considered to be the ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_whale
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Videos found for Whales

Whaling clash on high seas

Whaling clash on high seasEnvironmental activists try to disrupt the activities of two Japanese whaling vessels, with both sides documenting the confrontation.Flash - Video

Rescuers try to save beached whales

Rescuers try to save beached whalesJan. 23: Rescuers in Australia are working to save dozens of beached whales. Msnbc.com's Becca Field reports. (msnbc.com)Windows Media - Video

Stranded whales down under

Stranded whales down underRescuers make desperate attempts to save five Sperm Whales after a pod of 50 are stranded in southern Australia.Flash - Video

Experts Say Migrating Whales Are To...

Experts Say Migrating Whales Are Too SkinnyMarine experts say the whales are displaying rippled skin and bones sticking out. Sylvia Lopez reports.Windows Media - Video

Migrating Calif. Whales Show Signs ...

Migrating Calif. Whales Show Signs Of StarvationMigrating whales are skinnier than scientists have ever seen off of the California coast. Shrinking ice sheets have left less for the whales to feed off of. Jeffrey Schaub...Windows Media - Video

Answers for Whales

AnonymousWhat is a job where i can work with and swim with dolphons and killer whales?AnonymousMarine biology is the way to go although not all of us end up in the water sadly. Your other option would be Sea World. They accept good swimmers for their diving shows and you don't even need a degre...geistswomanDo I need to book a special day trip to see whales?geistswomanYou'll probably see whales all along the way and especially in Glacier Bay. Also you'll see the white Belugas around Anchorage. The helicopter trip is awesome anytime. If you want to take side trip...TumbleWhen the japanese hunt whales what do they mean by doing it for 'scientific' purposes?TumbleThe Japanese people love whale meat, and they have had a lot of trouble accepting international bans on whaling. Just think if there was a sudden worldwide ban on eating chicken or pork -- a lot of co...Courtney HDoes anyone know if i can swim with Killer whales at sea world?Courtney Hno they will not let you--insurance risk is too great but talk to them for sure they will lead you on to a head start in careerSpottedfireWhat is the average frequency at which whales and dolphins 'send out' their sonar?SpottedfireWhales rang a lot. Humpback whales can range from 20 hertz to 10 kilohertz whereas Baleen whales stay around 15 -20 hertz. Dolphins can use from 250 hertz up to 120 kilohertz. With dolphins their...
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