Whales are large marine mammals belonging to the cetacean group, which also includes dolphins and porpoises. They are divided into two broad categories: baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti). Baleen whales, such as the blue whale—the largest animal known to have ever existed—have baleen plates for filtering small fish and plankton from seawater. Toothed whales, like the sperm whale, possess teeth and are active predators, feeding on fish, squid, and other marine creatures. Whales are known for their impressive migrations, traveling thousands of miles between feeding and breeding grounds. They are highly intelligent, with some species exhibiting complex behaviors such as tool use, sophisticated hunting strategies, and intricate communication. Whales play a significant role in marine ecosystems but face threats from commercial whaling, habitat loss, and pollution. Conservation efforts continue to be crucial for their survival, with numerous species protected under international law.
Future climate change may threaten the krill-based diet of southern hemisphere humpback whales, impacting migration and survival. Researchers at Griffith University have predicted that the…
Research on sustainable whale disposal methods reveals effective offshore strategies that help maintain marine ecosystem balance by utilizing deceased whales, aiding in nutrient cycling and…
Researchers from Roskilde University in Denmark have developed a universal equation that can effectively predict the frequency of wingbeats and fin strokes made by birds,…
A study from Oregon State University shows that gray whales off the Pacific Northwest have shrunk significantly since 2000, indicating potential broader environmental issues and…
Researchers from MIT’s CSAIL and Project CETI use machine learning to decode the “sperm whale phonetic alphabet,” revealing complex communication patterns, deepening our understanding of…
New research indicates that females in certain whale species have evolved to have significantly longer lifespans in order to care for their families. The study…
Certain creatures inhabit regions of the world so secluded and unreachable that researching them in their natural environments is almost unattainable. Among these are the…
University of British Columbia researchers believe a group of killer whales observed hunting marine mammals including sperm whales, as well as a sea turtle, in…
The little-known ginkgo-toothed beaked whale has a wider range than previously understood, extending to the chilly waters of the North Pacific. Cetaceans, widely known as…
Dynamic Arctic conditions have caused major die-offs in gray whales since the 1980s. Despite their adaptability, climate change presents new challenges, affecting their prey and…
Research shows that 20th-century commercial whaling has left a mark on the genetic diversity of surviving whales, emphasizing the importance of understanding and conserving…
Scientists discovered a new species of extinct whale that lived in the ancient sea that once covered present-day Egypt around 41 million years ago. An…
The northern Pacific near Japan and Russia is home to several different groups of orcas yet they never interact, hunt different prey, communicate in distinct…
Research suggests that microplastics, once ingested, move into the fat and internal organs of whales. Microscopic plastic remnants have been detected in the blubber and…
Paleontologists have discovered a new species of toothed whale, Olympicetus thalassodon, which lived 28 million years ago and offers insights into the evolution of modern…
A recent study by Griffith University and a team of global researchers found that whales’ contribution to carbon capture is minimal and insufficient to significantly…
Minke whales are as small as a lunge-feeding baleen whale can be. Research on the feeding behavior of Antarctic minke whales found that a smaller…
New research reveals the genes that likely allowed whales to grow to giant sizes compared to their ancestors, reports a study published today (January 19)…