Page 91 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Whales
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Unique markings
Minke whales are
distinguished by a
pointy, triangular snout
and white bands around
their fins.

Minke whale
The baby of the fi lter feeders MINKE WHALE
The second smallest baleen whale, the minke, measures on average 6.9 Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Class Mammalia
metres (22.6 feet). Distinguishable from other whales by a white band

on each flipper, minke whales have up to 360 baleen plates either side
of their mouths to help feed. They’re a dark, near-black colour with a Most

white underbelly. The whale takes three to five intakes of breath and Territory: All oceans bar polar
dives deep into the water for up to 20 minutes at a time. Reaching Diet Plankton and small fi sh unusual
speeds of around 38 kilometres (24 miles) per hour, they sieve Lifespan 30-50 years
Adult weight 9,200kg /
through the water for plankton and krill, catching the 20,000lbs Narwhal Monodon monoceros
occasional small fish and sometimes giving Conservation status A member of the Monodontidae family (a

chase to sardines. They habituate all the group of toothed whales), narwhal are most
oceans except polar ones and recognised for the tusk that grows up to 2.7
swim in groups of just a LEAST CONCERN metres (8.9 feet) long. Nicknamed the unicorn of
few individuals. the sea, its tusk is actually the more prominent
of two teeth of the male of the species (although
females can grow a small tusk too). The tusk
grows through the upper lip and some believe
it’s predominantly to impress females during
mating rituals or to battle off rival males. The

pale-coloured creatures travel in groups of 15 to
20, feeding mainly on fish and shrimp.

Natural fi lter
35 grooves on the throat
enable the humpback to
gulp and filter water by

extending the throat.

The song of the humpback
These whales are known for
the incredible way in which they
communicate. Their amazing
songs can be heard across
HUMPBACK WHALE massive distances.
Megaptera novaeangliae
Class Mammalia

Humpback whale
Territory All oceans
Diet Krill and small fi sh The oceanic composers
Lifespan 45-50 years A remarkable creature, the humpback is another colossal baleen whale of the ocean. It
Adult weight 27,000kg /
59,525lbs has up to 35 grooves on its throat all the way from the chin to the navel. It can expand the
Conservation status throat to enable huge intakes of water to then filter in food such as plankton and krill.

Humpbacks are renowned for performing amazing songs that can be heard over great
distances. Thought to be great methods of communication, particularly to attract mates, © Thinkstock; FLPA
LEAST CONCERN the songs are made up of moans, howls, cries and the humpback’s complex noises can
often last hours.

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