Questions and Answers
Which suborder includes true whales with baleen structures in their mouth?
What distinguishes true whales visually?
Which family of true whales has thick blubber layers and long baleen plates?
Which species of right whale has the healthiest population among Balenidae species?
Signup and view all the answers
What are baleen structures made of?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the feeding style of humpback whales called?
Signup and view all the answers
Which whale produces the loudest sound of any living creature?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of male humpback whales singing during the breeding season?
Signup and view all the answers
Which commission monitors whaling?
Signup and view all the answers
What are some threats to baleen whales and their habitats?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
- The Suborder Mysticeti includes true whales with baleen structures in their mouth.
- True whales can be visually distinguished by two blowhole openings and lack of teeth.
- There are four families of true whales: Balenidae, Neobalenidae, Eschrichtiidae, and Balaenopteridae.
- Balenidae whales have thick blubber layers and long baleen plates.
- Right whales have callosities on their head, eyes, lips, and chin.
- North Atlantic Right Whale is critically endangered with less than 400 individuals.
- Southern right whale has the healthiest population among Balenidae species.
- Pygmy right whales have intermediate characteristics between right whales and rorquals.
- Gray whales have recovered from near extinction and have a mottled skin.
- Baleen structures are made of keratin and used for filter-feeding on small marine invertebrates.
- Gray whales are recognized by their V-shaped spout and lack of dorsal fin.
- They feed on benthic organisms, particularly amphipods, and can gulp large quantities of mud.
- Gray whales complete the longest north-south migration of any whale, breeding in warm waters and feeding in productive waters near the Polar Circle.
- Pregnant females move south first to give birth in shallow lagoons, where calves are protected from predators.
- Gray whale males rely on sperm competition to mate with as many females as possible.
- Gray whale mothers fiercely protect their calves from killer whale attacks, which can last several hours.
- The Family Balaenopteridae includes ten species of whales, ranging from the smallest minke whale to the largest blue whale.
- Rorqual whales have short baleen, numerous ventral grooves, and tall spouts, and use bubble-netting to feed.
- True whale feeding styles include skimming, gulping, and bubble netting.
- Baleen traps food inside the whale's mouth while water is forced out through spaces between the plates.
- Humpback whales use cooperative feeding practices called bubble net feeding.
- Baleen whales produce a variety of sounds for communication, reproduction, and establishing territories.
- Blue whales produce the loudest sound of any living creature.
- Humpback whales are known for their ability to sing, and only males sing.
- All males in the same population sing the same exact song during the breeding season.
- The purpose of these songs is to advertise a male to a female and stake a claim.
- Baleen whales have been hunted to extinction for their oil and blubber.
- The International Whaling Commission monitors whaling but joining is voluntary.
- Many whale species are on the brink of extinction due to boat traffic, noise, pollution, and destruction of their feeding grounds.
- Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect baleen whales and their habitats.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
