Discover Animals

Amazing Whales

Whales, dolphins and porpoises, otherwise known as cetaceans, can be found in oceans and rivers around the world. Some live close to shore while others live far out in the deep ocean. Cetaceans range in size from 1.5 m (5 ft) to over 24 m (79 ft)! Some can dive to depths of 1,800 m (5,900 ft) and remain there for over an hour. Others migrate each year up to 15,000 km (9,300 miles) and live for over 100 years.

Whales, like other mammals (including people), are warm blooded, breathe air, and give birth to live young that they nurse with milk. Unlike land mammals, whales gave up ties to the land about 50 million years ago when they found rich food resources in the water. Over time, hind legs were replaced with a strong tail fluke so that they could travel farther or deeper to capture their prey. For steering, their arms evolved into flippers. Their nostrils moved to the top of their head to make breathing at the surface of the water easier and they kept a thick layer of blubber to streamline the body and provide energy, keep them warm, and help them stay buoyant.

DID YOU KNOW? Cetacean comes from the Greek word ketos, meaning sea monster, and the Latin word cetus, meaning large sea animal.

Whether large or small (well, relatively speaking!), fast or slow (again, relatively speaking!), whales are really intriguing. Believe it or not, there are over 80 different species of cetaceans known to exist and others are still being discovered. Amazing!