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Baleen Whales Baleen is a structure used to strain the food from water They feed by opening their mouth and swimming into dense groups of fish Baleen Whales include Right Whales, Bowhead Whales, Roquals, and Gray Whales Many Baleen whales are endangered due to impact of whaling Mate and give birth in typically the same location and same time of year
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Marine MammalsBy: Lauren Howard & Lauren Ralston
Whales• They have blowholes that allow them to surface and breathe with
minimal effort• Whales are thought to have evolved from four-legged terrestrial
carnivores• Blubber provides insulation to conserve heat and reserve energy source
of water when fat is metabolized• Respiratory system, nervous system, circulatory system, and muscles
allow whales to dive great depths and remain submerged for over an hour• Bear usually one offspring at a time
Baleen Whales• Baleen is a structure used to strain the food from water• They feed by opening their mouth and swimming into dense groups
of fish• Baleen Whales include Right Whales, Bowhead Whales, Roquals, and
Gray Whales• Many Baleen whales are endangered due to impact of whaling• Mate and give birth in typically the same location and same time of
year
Toothed Whales• They use sound to locate objects, shapes, distance, and to
navigate•Whales pick up echoes (echolocation)• Includes Sperm Whales, dolphins, porpoises, Killer whales,
and Narwhals• The head of the porpoise is rounded, while dolphins are
identified by their beaks• Live in structured social groups called pods
Sea Otters• They float on their backs in the water• They are found mainly in kelp forests and on shallow coasts• They are a keystone species and they regulate the amount of
urchins in the ecosystem. Without them, the urchins would eat all the kelp, destroying the ecosystem.• Sea otter pups are nursed by the mother for the first year of their
lives and are taught how to swim and hunt for prey
Pinnipeds (Walrus)• They have large tusks that they use for pulling themselves out of the
water, self-defense, and protecting their mates. They are hunted for them because they are made of ivory and therefore very valuable• Walruses are carnivorous and their diet consists of crustaceans, sea
cucumbers, mollusks, worms, and other small soft-bodied animals• They are bottom feeders and this allows them to get their food easier
than mammals that have to hunt for it.• One male usually mates with about 23 females in a single mating
season
Sirenians (Manatee)• All manatees live in warm water. They live mainly in salt water but
always need fresh water to drink.• Their only teeth are molars and they become worn down due to all
the abrasive plants they eat.• One cow (female) will be approached by many bulls (males) and will
try to get away from them. The males will compete to be the first one to mate with the female. • They consume 4-9% of their body weight in food every day.