Marine Mammals Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which family does the beluga whale belong to?

Physeteridae

Monodontidae (correct)

Ziphiidae

Balaenidae

What do baleen plates primarily help toothless whales to do?

Trap fish and other small creatures (correct)

Digest large amounts of food

Absorb nutrients from water

Swim faster than other whales

What is a key characteristic of sperm whales?

They have the largest nose in the animal kingdom. (correct)

They primarily inhabit freshwater.

They have no teeth.

They have a dorsal fin.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of pinnipeds?

Ability to fly short distances Signup and view all the answers

Which type of whale is known for using echolocation?

Toothed whales Signup and view all the answers

What causes the population decline of the North Atlantic Right whale?

Ship collisions Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes earless seals from eared seals?

Earless seals lack visible ear flaps. Signup and view all the answers

How do seals use their front flippers?

For steering while swimming Signup and view all the answers

Which whale family includes the humpback whale?

Balaenopteridae Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pinniped is known for having a longer snout and finer fur?

Fur seals Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of baleen plates in whales?

To filter food from water Signup and view all the answers

Which family does the sperm whale belong to?

Physeteridae Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest whale species to have ever lived?

Blue whale Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinct feature of toothed whales compared to baleen whales?

They have teeth instead of baleen. Signup and view all the answers

What feature allows crabeater seals to filter krill from the water?

Specialized teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is a common trait among all pinnipeds?

All can swim but are clumsy on land. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily prevents walruses from freezing in cold environments?

Blubber Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the living environment of Dugongs?

Tropical seas off the coasts Signup and view all the answers

How are Manatees and Dugongs similar?

Both are slow swimmers and primarily herbivorous Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of Manatees compared to Dugongs?

Manatees have pointed tails Signup and view all the answers

Which marine mammal is known for using tools to forage for food?

Sea otter Signup and view all the answers

Where do Northern Pacific sea otters primarily depend on for hunting?

Shallow coastal waters Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic best describes the feeding habits of Dugongs?

They graze on vegetation at nighttime Signup and view all the answers

Which marine mammal primarily hunts seals on sea ice?

Polar bear Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT typically associated with marine mammals?

They are cold-blooded. Signup and view all the answers

Which group of marine mammals includes seals and sea lions?

Pinnipeds Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of baleen whales?

They are toothless. Signup and view all the answers

What common trait do dolphins and whales share?

They both breathe from a blowhole. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following marine mammals is classified as a sirenian?

Dugong Signup and view all the answers

Which of these groups includes animals with hair at some stage of their development?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What type of marine mammal is the orca classified as?

Toothed whale Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mammals is NOT part of the marine environment?

Echidna Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Marine Mammals

A marine mammal is a mammal living in a marine or aquatic environment, obtaining most of its food there.
Dolphins, whales, and porpoises possess hair around their mouths early in life, which usually disappears.
Seals, sea lions, walruses, sea otters, polar bears, and manatees are considered marine mammals meeting five specific criteria.
There are four general types, including Cetaceans - whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Pinnipeds - seals, sea lions, and walruses.
Sirenians - dugongs and manatees.
Other/Carnivores - sea otters and polar bears.

Defining Features of Mammals

Mammals have lungs and breathe air.
They are warm-blooded, maintaining a constant body temperature.
Most give birth to live young, with exceptions like Monotremes (duckbill platypus and echidna) who lay eggs.
Produce milk for their young.
Possess hair at some point in their lives (though some marine mammals lose it).

Echolocation

Many marine mammal species use echolocation (sonar) for underwater navigation and hunting.
A single blowhole and a wide throat are often features to accommodate large prey.

Toothed Whales

Toothed whales include families like Ziphiidae (beaked and bottlenose whales) and Physeteridae (sperm whales).
The white whale in Melville's Moby-Dick is actually an albino sperm whale, not a beluga.

Baleen Whales

Baleen whales use their mouth as a giant strainer, with bony plates (baleen) hanging vertically.
The spaces between the plates allow water to pass through but trap food particles.
Whales swim through schools of fish with their mouths open, expanding their throat to take in both fish and water.
They then push the water out, trapping the fish against the baleen plates for swallowing.
Toothless whales are large (typically over 10 meters long), filter feeders, and lack teeth but have brushlike baleen sheets instead.

Specific Marine Mammals

Walruses: Live in the Arctic, spending time in the water or on ice floes. Blubber layer over 6 inches thick.
Manatees: Aquatic mammals called sea cows, known to prefer warm water, and being plant eaters.
Dugongs: Live in shallow tropical seas; have pointed tails and tusk-like teeth. They usually travel in small groups.
Sea Otters: Notably the only marine mammal species using tools for foraging.
Polar Bears: Considered marine mammals due to their proficiency in swimming and hunting on sea ice. Have an estimated population of 21,000-28,000 animals. Polar bear males are 2-3 times the size of females.

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Description

Test your knowledge on marine mammals and their defining features. This quiz covers the different types of marine mammals, their characteristics, and unique abilities like echolocation. Perfect for those interested in marine biology!