Who do you imagine when you hear about whales? Someone will think about the huge blue giant, the most powerful marine animal. And someone will remember the killer whales because of the famous movie "Free Willy." But no matter what marine inhabitant you imagine, the question always arises: what does the whale breathe? How can it be under water for a long time? Let's try to answer these questions.
Appearance
Whales are huge mammals that are distributed around the world. These giants live in all oceans, both in the warm and in the cold. A feature of their appearance is their grandiose size. So, blue whale is the largest species of cetaceans. It can reach a length of more than 30 meters and weigh up to 150 tons. But there are also small species whose dimensions do not exceed 2 meters.
Interestingly, the head of whales is huge and reaches 1/3 of the length of the whole body. The neck is very short and not noticeable. This raises the question: what does the whale breathe, does it have nostrils like all mammals? It turns out there is. On the head, or rather on its very upper part, there is a breathing hole. I must say that for toothed whales there is only one nostril on the head, and for whiskers - two. We all remember the illustrations where the whale is depicted with a fountain above its head. So this fountain is formed when the whale exhales moist air, and by the appearance of the fountain itself, you can recognize the appearance of cetaceans.
Another common indicator of cetaceans is the presence of powerful fins. Moreover, in different species they differ in size. It is this feature that gives them the opportunity to develop considerable speed and gives excellent maneuverability. Interestingly, the humpback whales have the largest pectoral fins, similar to giant wings. And a blow from the tail of a blue whale can easily sink a ship.
Structural features
Another distinctive feature is that the whale is a warm-blooded animal, unlike all other inhabitants of the world's oceans. This explains that he can live in all seas, regardless of the ambient temperature. The huge fat layer, which in some whales reaches 1 meter, protects the animal from hypothermia. It is interesting that there is no fat in the tail portion, and this explains the fact that the whale does not overheat, being in warm tropical waters.
The brain of animals is also unique. Hearing is most developed in cetaceans. Everyone knows the fact that whale songs can be heard tens of kilometers away. They also have excellent echolocation, thanks to which the giants communicate wonderfully, as well as hunt and move in the water column. Their vision is also well developed. With the help of a protective fluid produced by certain glands, the whale is able to clearly see under water. All other senses are rather poorly developed.
The respiratory system has its own characteristics: the lungs of the whale are not associated with the larynx. Thus, when inhaling, water is not swallowed. The nasal openings located on the crown of the head are directly connected to the lungs. But what does a whale breathe underwater? The answer is simple: like all mammals, it holds its breath under water. His nostrils close when immersed like valves. The brain commands the whole body to turn on a kind of economical mode, as a result of which oxygen enters only the heart and brain. This allows whales to dive to a depth of 2000 meters.
Baleen whales
This cetacean squad is the largest of all existing. It includes: blue whale, finwale, sail, humpback, or humpback whale, gray and bowhead whales, as well as minke whale. All these animals have one structural feature - they have no teeth, and instead of them there are horn plates called whalebone. It was from this feature that the detachment got its name.
Baleen whales feed on small plankton or small fish that come in their way. An interesting way of feeding these animals. The whale opens its huge mouth and swallows a trifle with a huge amount of water. Then, using a giant tongue, he pushes water out with a piston, and the food that is caught remains within the mouth, without passing through a mustache. In this way, a whale absorbs up to 6 tons of plankton per day.
Toothed whales
As everyone understands, this unit has sharp teeth. In each individual species, they differ in size and shape. This category includes sperm whales, killer whales and dolphins. They differ in taste preferences. Dolphins, for example, like to hunt for fish, and killer whales prefer seals and fur seals in their diet. Sperm whales, for the most part, prey on squid and cuttlefish, while they dive to very great depths.
All toothed whales are excellent hunters. Often killer whales, also called killer whales, can attack large baleen whales. Their favorite delicacy is huge tongues; the rest of the whale is of little interest to them. Since whiskered whales are mostly solitary animals and toothed whales are flocks, attacks often occur.
Birth of babies
Since the whale is a warm-blooded animal, the cubs are born fully formed, as in all mammals. What does a whale breathe when it is born? The baby is born with its tail forward and, thanks to a caring mother, takes its first breath immediately after birth. The female pushes him to the surface so that the respiratory system works to the full and the lungs open, just like in humans.
It is also interesting that little kittens feed on milk. An adult has two mammary glands, but the kitten does not suck milk, like all mammals, but receives it by injection. Near the nipple is a system of muscles that perform this function. In addition, milk is very fat and dense, so the baby gains weight very quickly - up to 100 kilograms per day. Mother and baby hold on to the surface, as the baby still can not be under water for a long time. As the kitten grows, it improves in swimming and diving.
Whale songs
The way of communication of whales is also unique. These creatures are capable of playing melodies. Often their singing is so harmonious and beautiful that it can calm and even lull a person. It should be noted that not all giants sing. Humpback whales, which are even called singing, have these abilities especially. Why they make such sounds is still not known. Presumably these are mating songs, but they can vary from season to season.
The whale breathes lightly. This is an amazing marine creature, which still has many mysteries that are not clear to us. Until the middle of the 20th century, whales were simply destroyed for the needs of mankind, and today many of them are under protection.