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Questions and Answers
What is an essential characteristic that distinguishes whales from other marine animals?
What is an essential characteristic that distinguishes whales from other marine animals?
- Ability to breathe underwater
- Size greater than 10 meters
- Warm-blooded vertebrates (correct)
- Presence of fins
Which of the following features is commonly associated with whales?
Which of the following features is commonly associated with whales?
- Feeding on phytoplankton only
- Presence of scales
- Live births (correct)
- Gills for underwater breathing
What aspect of whale biology supports their classification as mammals?
What aspect of whale biology supports their classification as mammals?
- Presence of echolocation
- Lung-based respiration (correct)
- Reproduction through external fertilization
- Cold-blooded metabolism
How do whales typically communicate?
How do whales typically communicate?
What defines the diet of most baleen whales?
What defines the diet of most baleen whales?
What hunting method is used by killer whales to disable stingrays?
What hunting method is used by killer whales to disable stingrays?
Which method of hunting involves the use of coordinated swimming to trap fish?
Which method of hunting involves the use of coordinated swimming to trap fish?
What is the dietary characteristic of resident killer whales in the Eastern North Pacific?
What is the dietary characteristic of resident killer whales in the Eastern North Pacific?
What method do dolphins use to herd fish that involves creating disturbances in the water?
What method do dolphins use to herd fish that involves creating disturbances in the water?
What role does mucus play in the pyloric chamber of cetaceans?
What role does mucus play in the pyloric chamber of cetaceans?
What is a key characteristic of cetacean lungs?
What is a key characteristic of cetacean lungs?
Which of the following is NOT a function of the laryngeal sac in cetaceans?
Which of the following is NOT a function of the laryngeal sac in cetaceans?
How do cetaceans digest the chitinous exoskeletons of their prey?
How do cetaceans digest the chitinous exoskeletons of their prey?
What distinguishes the social behavior of Mysticetes from that of Odontocetes regarding juvenile care?
What distinguishes the social behavior of Mysticetes from that of Odontocetes regarding juvenile care?
What is the main method of echolocation used by sperm whales?
What is the main method of echolocation used by sperm whales?
Which anatomical feature of odontocetes allows them to adjust the frequency and intensity of their sounds?
Which anatomical feature of odontocetes allows them to adjust the frequency and intensity of their sounds?
Calves of Mysticetes receive care exclusively from whom?
Calves of Mysticetes receive care exclusively from whom?
What is mainly reflected out into the water after clicks are created by sperm whales?
What is mainly reflected out into the water after clicks are created by sperm whales?
What type of vocalization consists of patterned sounds for social functions in sperm whales?
What type of vocalization consists of patterned sounds for social functions in sperm whales?
In which type of waters are calves typically born?
In which type of waters are calves typically born?
How do humpback whales primarily interact while feeding?
How do humpback whales primarily interact while feeding?
Which mechanism is similar between the sound production of sperm whales and odontocetes?
Which mechanism is similar between the sound production of sperm whales and odontocetes?
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Study Notes
What Makes A Whale A Whale?
- Whales have a pyloric chamber, which produces mucus to help food move through the intestines, allowing them to digest chitinous exoskeletons of prey.
Cetacean Respiratory Anatomy
- Whales have large lungs allowing them to exchange up to 90% of lung volume with each breath.
- Their laryngeal sac has four key functions:
- It functions as a flexible tube during breathing
- It is used for sound production
- It acts as a valve to prevent water from entering the trachea
- It assists in the generation of sounds
Cetacean Vocalizations And Communication
- Most odontocetes produce sound by pushing air through their nasal passages, which are amplified and modified by the dorsal bursae.
- Phonic lips allow odontocetes to adjust the frequency and intensity of the sounds emitted.
- Sounds are focused and emitted through the melon and received through the lower jaw and auditory bullae.
Sperm Whale Sound Production
- Sperm whales produce sound by forcing air through their right nasal passage.
- The air then travels through the monkey lips, creating clicks which are reflected through the junk into the water.
- It is believed that sperm whales may be able to adjust the shape of the spermaceti organ to aim the clicks.
Types of Sperm Whale Sounds
- Clicks are the main method of echolocation.
- They are short bursts of high-frequency clicks used to find prey in the deep ocean.
- The echoes of the clicks are received through the lower jaw.
- Codas are patterned sounds used for social functions, such as group identification and communication during social interactions.
Dolphin Hunting Methods
- Dolphins use various methods to hunt fish, including:
- Herding with mud plumes
- Beaching prey
- Baitball formation
Killer Whale Hunting Methods
- Killer whale hunting methods vary depending on prey type and location.
- Examples include:
- Using their tails to disable stingrays
- Performing carousel feeding on mackerel
- Hunting harbor seals
- Hunting crabeater seals
- Hunting blue whales
- Recent evidence suggests that resident killer whales in the Eastern North Pacific may have a more varied diet than previously thought.
Beluga Whale Diet
- Beluga whales have an extremely varied diet, including capelin and other fish.
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