Blue Whale
Blue Whale
The largest animals ever to
have lived, dwarfing even the
largest dinosaurs. All figures
about blues are awesome. Their
circulatory system pumps 10
tonnes of blood through its body
using a heart the size of a small
car. A child could crawl down the
whales' main blood vessel, the
aorta.
The largest animals ever to
have lived, dwarfing even the
largest dinosaurs. All figures
about blues are awesome. Their
circulatory system pumps 10
tonnes of blood through its body
using a heart the size of a small
car. A child could crawl down the
whales' main blood vessel, the
aorta.
The largest individuals have been
estimated at being 150-200
tonnes.
The largest individuals have been
estimated at being 150-200
tonnes.
Blue Whale
Blue Whale
Southern Right Whale
Southern Right Whale
The name was given by the early
whalers because they were the
"right" whales to kill. They have
large amounts of oil, blubber and
baleen or whalebone, they are
slow swimming (easy to catch)
and float when killed.
They have a large bulbous head
and lack the streamlined shape of
other whales. The head has large
callosities that are home to a
whole colony of whale barnacles,
parasitic worms and whale lice.
The name was given by the early
whalers because they were the
"right" whales to kill. They have
large amounts of oil, blubber and
baleen or whalebone, they are
slow swimming (easy to catch)
and float when killed.
They have a large bulbous head
and lack the streamlined shape of
other whales. The head has large
callosities that are home to a
whole colony of whale barnacles,
parasitic worms and whale lice.
Southern Right Whale
Southern Right Whale
Sei Whale
Sei Whale
These are among the more
elusive of the larger whales, not
coming very close to land at
any time and not forming large
groups or "schools".
These are among the more
elusive of the larger whales, not
coming very close to land at
any time and not forming large
groups or "schools".
They are found like many whales
in both Northern and Southern
hemispheres following the best
feeding at different times of year.
Only the larger older individuals
tend to go very far south, they are
relatively rare in Antarctica
They are found like many whales
in both Northern and Southern
hemispheres following the best
feeding at different times of year.
Only the larger older individuals
tend to go very far south, they are
relatively rare in Antarctica
Sei Whale
Sei Whale
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale
So called because of the habit of
raising and bending the back in
preparation for a dive,
accentuating the hump in front
of the dorsal fin.
Probably the best known of the
large whales as they often collect
in groups near to land and draw
attention to themselves by their
behaviour.
Males at breeding time sing the
longest and most complex songs
in the animal kingdom.
So called because of the habit of
raising and bending the back in
preparation for a dive,
accentuating the hump in front
of the dorsal fin.
Probably the best known of the
large whales as they often collect
in groups near to land and draw
attention to themselves by their
behaviour.
Males at breeding time sing the
longest and most complex songs
in the animal kingdom.
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale
Minke Whale
Minke Whale
One of the smallest baleen or
filter feeding whales.
One of the smallest baleen or
filter feeding whales.
Their numbers are still quite
healthy due to whalers
concentrating on larger, more
profitable species.
Their numbers are still quite
healthy due to whalers
concentrating on larger, more
profitable species.
They are still hunted for
"scientific" reasons by Japan.
They are still hunted for
"scientific" reasons by Japan.
Minke Whale
Minke Whale
Fin Whale
Fin Whale
The second largest after the blue
whale, the fastest swimming of
all the large whales (sometimes
called the greyhound of the seas)
and the commonest.
The second largest after the blue
whale, the fastest swimming of
all the large whales (sometimes
called the greyhound of the seas)
and the commonest.
These whales can produce
sounds which are very loud for an
animal source.
These whales can produce
sounds which are very loud for an
animal source.
In oceans this sound could travel
for well over a hundred
kilometres.
In oceans this sound could travel
for well over a hundred
kilometres.
Fin Whale
Fin Whale
Sperm Whale
Sperm Whale
The name comes from the
enormous bulbous spermaceti
organ in the head.
Only males are found in
Antarctic waters.
The name comes from the
enormous bulbous spermaceti
organ in the head.
Only males are found in
Antarctic waters.
These whales are toothed
whales rather than filter
feeders and are the deepest
and longest of all whale divers
catching giant squid in the dark
ocean depths.
These whales are toothed
whales rather than filter
feeders and are the deepest
and longest of all whale divers
catching giant squid in the dark
ocean depths.
Sperm Whale
Sperm Whale
Killer Whale
Killer Whale
Also known as Orcas from their
Latin name. They are one of the
most well known types of whales
thanks to their being held captive in
marine aquariums where they are
taught to perform tricks.
Also known as Orcas from their
Latin name. They are one of the
most well known types of whales
thanks to their being held captive in
marine aquariums where they are
taught to perform tricks.
These whales are toothed whales
and top carnivores in their food
chain. Sometimes referred to as
"sea-wolves", they frequently hunt
in packs or "pods". Their tastes are
wide ranging from krill and fish to
penguins, seals and even much
larger baleen whales.
These whales are toothed whales
and top carnivores in their food
chain. Sometimes referred to as
"sea-wolves", they frequently hunt
in packs or "pods". Their tastes are
wide ranging from krill and fish to
penguins, seals and even much
larger baleen whales.
Killer Whale
Killer Whale