Marine Mammals (Class Mammalia) Lecture 10

Which family of marine mammals includes sea lions, fur seals, and walruses?

What is the distinguishing feature of true seals from the Family Phocidae?

What type of whales have baleen plates instead of teeth to catch zooplankton and phytoplankton?

Which type of whales use teeth to catch prey like fish, octopus, and squid?

Which family includes species such as dugongs and manatees?

What is one of the key characteristics of marine mammals?

How do marine mammals differ from land mammals in terms of insulation?

What enables marine mammals to stay underwater for long periods of time?

How do marine mammals manage oxygen use during deep dives?

What is the purpose of the excess amount of blood in many marine mammals?

Marine Mammals Families

Pinnipeds family includes sea lions, fur seals, and walruses.
Sirenians family consists of dugongs and manatees.

Seals and Distinctions

True seals (Family Phocidae) lack external ear flaps and have a streamlined body shape, making them adept swimmers.

Whales and Feeding Mechanisms

Baleen whales possess baleen plates instead of teeth, allowing them to filter zooplankton and phytoplankton from the water.
Toothed whales use teeth to catch and consume prey like fish, octopus, and squid.

Characteristics of Marine Mammals

One key characteristic of marine mammals is their adaptation to living in aquatic environments.

Insulation Differences

Marine mammals typically have a thicker layer of blubber compared to land mammals, providing them with essential insulation against cold water.

Diving Adaptations

Specialized adaptations, such as increased lung capacity and myoglobin-rich blood, enable marine mammals to stay underwater for extended periods.
They manage oxygen use during deep dives by slowing their heart rate and redirecting blood flow to vital organs.

Blood Volume Functionality

Many marine mammals have a larger volume of blood, which aids in oxygen storage and enhances their endurance during dives.

This quiz focuses on the characteristics of marine mammals, including their hair or fur, blubber, warm-blooded nature, lung-based respiration, live young, and mammary gland milk production. Learn about the similarities and differences between marine mammals and land mammals.