Minke whales are as small as a lunge-feeding baleen whale can be. Research on the…
Browsing: Whales
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.
Four genes—GHSR, IGFBP7, NCAPG, and PLAG1—have been linked to the gigantism of whales, enabling their…
Scientists Say Whales Could Be a Valuable Carbon Sink Nature-based solutions to fight climate change…
Megalodon, the largest shark that ever lived, is famous for its gigantic, human-hand-sized teeth. However,…
Unlocking the Secrets of Killer Whale Diets and Their Role in Climate Change Killer whale…
Laguna Ojo de Liebre, a lagoon on the Baja California Peninsula, is a whale sanctuary…
Scientists from UNSW Sydney have uncovered the secrets locked in the jawlines of humpback and…
Sound recordings show blue whales communicate during foraging and adjust migration based on food abundance,…
Researchers have discovered that whales use a unique anatomical feature known as an ‘oral plug’…
Researchers found ichthyosaurs achieved gigantism remarkably quickly, aided by post-extinction ecological opportunities. The two-meter (6.6-foot)…
Melting ice opens new predation ground for killer whales as they spend more time in…
Research on whale feeding highlights how the precipitous decline of large marine mammals has negatively…
Recovery of baleen whales to pre-whaling levels could restore lost ocean function and may help…
Climate-driven habitat shifts are endangering North Atlantic right whales. Warming oceans have driven the critically…
Drone footage reveals killer whales form strong social bonds, especially with similar peers, and show…
Machine learning innovations are enabling real-time acoustic detection of endangered whales, offering a vital tool…
A new study published by the open access publisher Frontiers shows the usefulness of opportunistically…
The unexpected discovery of a whale skeleton hundreds of miles from the sea and more…