Whales are representatives of the class of mammals. These marine animals are impressive in size. Translated from the Greek language, the word "whale" means "sea monster". In ancient times, when fishermen began to notice such large creatures, disputes began to arise about whether it was a fish or an animal. Many people want to know where whales can be seen today, what lifestyle they lead, how many species there are. Our article talks about all this.
Description
The size of these animals is huge. The blue whale reaches a length of 25-30 meters, and its weight reaches 50 tons. However, there are also smaller representatives of the species. These are dwarf whales. Their weight does not exceed 4 tons, and their body length is only 6 meters.
All cetaceans have a fusiform body. This shape allows them to easily glide through the water column. The huge head, which makes up about 27% of the body, has a slightly narrowed shape in front, which makes it possible for the animal to cut through the water duringswimming.
Nostrils are shifted to the top of the head. The eyes are small. They are out of proportion to the body. Different individuals have differences in the structure of the teeth. For example, baleen whales have bone plates instead.
The skeleton provides flexibility and helps to maneuver. The mammal performs turns with the help of flippers, which are formed from the pectoral fins. The tail acts as a motor. It has a flat shape, high flexibility and well-developed musculature. Blades are located at the end of the tail. Many species of whales use their tails to stabilize their movements underwater.
The color of a mammal can be solid or anti-shadow. With age, the color changes. Cetaceans lack olfactory receptors, and taste receptors are poorly developed. They are unable to taste food and only taste s alty food.
Whales have poor eyesight (myopia). But this shortcoming is compensated by excellent hearing. They communicate with each other by echolocation.
In dark water, animals rely on hearing. They do not have vocal cords, but when air is pushed out, various sounds are created. They are reflected from surrounding objects and come back. This method of echolocation helps whales move at kilometer depths.
Views
How many types of whales are there? Scientists divide all giants into two main groups: mustachioed and toothed. In the latter, the largest representative is the sperm whale. In the former, the largest representative is the blue whale. This thirty-meter giant is quite rare. More often you can observe the southern species. They do not have specific migration paths. They get noticedaround the world.
There are so-called killer whales. These are killer whales. Many are accustomed to think so, but according to a strict classification, they belong to dolphins. Killer whales are small, only about three meters in length. Despite their small size, they attack their larger relatives.
There is a group of ancient whales in the classification, but all of its representatives are considered extinct many years ago.
Cold oceans can provide conditions for the survival of these mammals. Huge accumulations of plankton in the waters of the Arctic and Antarctic supply the giants with food. In one day, animals filter tons of sea water, getting their own food. During the day, the whale swallows about 1000 kg of food.
Habitats
Whales in the ocean - a magnificent sight. These giants jump out of the water and fall back, sending up fountains of spray. Being on vacation near the habitats of whales, tourists do not miss the opportunity to watch these beauties. Where can you see whales in their natural habitat?
Russia
In Russia, giants can be observed in the Far East, in the Arctic. In May, whales come to the shores of the Celtic Peninsula. Mammals live here for about a month. Whale watching in Russia is possible during cod spawning season. During this period, sperm whales and minke whales come to feast on fish. If you're lucky, you can meet bottlenose, bowhead whale, fin whale, sei whale, humpback whale.
Where else can you see whales in Russia? In the bay of Ongachan on the Shantarkiller whales live on the islands. You can admire them right from the shore. Beluga whales, gray whales, bowhead whales come here to feed.
Once upon a time, whalers lived on the islands. In the middle of the twentieth century, it was believed that the population of polar and gray whales in the waters of Shantar was destroyed, so a ban was imposed on fishing. This allowed the population to recover. Now in these places you can see flocks of whales that pass near the shore. More gray representatives of the species can be seen off the coast of Kamchatka and near Wrangel Island.
White whales are the most beautiful creatures of nature. Where can you see whales of this species in Russia? They live in northern waters. These animals are shown in all their glory a few meters from the Beluga Cape. White whales are considered cautious creatures and have a limited habitat.
Africa
Where do whales live in Africa? These giant animals hold entire "festivals" that can be seen in South Africa near the city of Hermanus. They come here to give birth to their babies. Here the mothers stay until the cubs grow up.
To admire the whales, viewing platforms are equipped on the shore of the bay. From them you can clearly see what kind of pirouettes the whales make in the bay. You can often see 20 or more individuals jumping. This spectacle attracts tourists from all over the world. The city even has a profession of a whale watcher, whose duty is to notify where these animals can be expected.
Spain
Where do whales live in Spain? One of the popular habitats of underwater giantsis the Bay of Biscay. There is a lot of plankton that the giants feed on. When the hunting of these animals was forbidden, a real paradise came for them here.
For several years, various sea excursions have been organized in these parts, allowing you to see mammals. But these creatures are visible not only from the sea. They can also be observed from the shore.
New Zealand
Unique giants also live off the coast of this country. Where can you see whales in nature? In New Zealand. Sperm whales, killer whales, kaikours are found here. You can admire them at any time of the year in the Southern Islands.
In these places, ideal conditions for whales to live: fish, plankton, cold current. The summer period lasts from October to March. Sperm whales swim off the coast of the island all year round.
California
You can see the whales listed in the Red Book off the coast of California. This city is considered one of the best for watching sea giants. Blue and gray whales are found in these places. They swim close to the shore, showing themselves in all their glory. Thrill-seekers can go whale watching on boats.
Azores
Representatives of the family of baleen whales and toothed whales often visit the Azores. Giants come here for mating games. In this place of the Atlantic Ocean there are more than twenty species of whales, among which is blue. Once upon a time, whaling was carried out here, but now you can only hunt animals with a camera.
Iceland
The northeast coast of Iceland is famous for seeing many flocks of whales. This place is located near the town of Husavik. Skjalfandi Bay has long been considered a favorite habitat for giants. Here you can watch how killer whales play with their cubs, throwing them high into the air. If you're lucky, you can see a real parade of aquatic inhabitants.
Whales sing during mating season. Their romantic songs are heard throughout the area.
Norway
You can admire whale hunting for fish in Norway near the Lofoten Islands. They are located below the Arctic Circle. Here is the warm current of the Gulf Stream, providing a mild climate.
The waters here are full of herring. This is the favorite food of sperm whales, killer whales. In these places, you can watch the real hunting of giants for small fish.
Vancouver
The procession of whales during migration takes place near Vancouver Island. The giants swim close to the shore. During this period, they can be considered in detail. You can enjoy the procession for hours. If you go to the ocean and admire the parade, looking towards the island, you will see beautiful views of snow-white mountain peaks.
Argentina
In this country near the Valdes Peninsula, which is listed as a UNESCO heritage, live the rarest species of marine animals - eared seals, elephant seals, southern right whales, admiring their size and harmonious forms. Mammals come to the peninsula to procreate. There are a lot of them here in October.
Dominican Republic
The favorite habitat of humpback whales in the Dominican Republic is the coast of the Samana Peninsula. In these places the most beautiful nature, pleasant climate. There are still places where no man has set foot.
The Samana Peninsula is located in the northern part of the republic. From January to March, fifty-ton humpback whales live here. The order of the excursions is monitored by warships.
Greenland
The real whale kingdom is Greenland. In addition, here you can meet walruses, polar bears. Aasiaat, known as the whale capital, is the ideal place to watch giant aquatic mammals.
Most whales can be seen from June to September, when the water is at its warmest.
Other countries
South Alaska is a migration site for whales leaving California waters. Flocks of gray whales, killer whales, humpback whales swim in these harsh waters. You can also meet blue whales here, which are listed in the Red Book.
You can watch the sea giants in Scotland near the Isles of Mull and Skye. In these places they swim from June to September.
Whales meet off the coast of Australia. You can watch them from April to November. It is winter here at this time of the year, so the whales migrate here. In the city of Head of Bight, they can be watched from the shore. In early June, humpback, blue and right whales are found in Australia. Their safety is monitored by the Australian authorities. After a population decline due to mass extermination, the whales returned to theseplaces. They are now protected.
Migration
Whales are able to overcome quite impressive distances. They are able to swim from the coast of Mexico, where they have offspring in winter, to the Arctic. During the migration route, they cover more than ten thousand kilometers. In the cold northern waters they forage for their food.
Humpback whales graze in the North, and for the winter they migrate to the shores of the Hawaiian Islands, to Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
In the Southern Hemisphere, baleen whales make similar long migrations. With the approach of winter, animals leave the regions of subpolar waters and go to where it is warmer. There they raise their offspring. Perhaps such migrations are due to the fact that the cubs do not have a thick layer of fat, so they cannot survive in the conditions of the north.
