Since the International Whaling Commission banned commercial hunting of the Antarctic blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) in 1966, the subspecies has rebounded and now numbers around 2,200 individuals. The whales live in chilly waters around Antarctica and survive by eating tiny crustaceans called krill.
The Antarctic blue whale has a heart the size of a small car, and during the main feeding season it consumes 3600 kg of krill per day. They are the loudest animals on Earth and are even louder than a jet engine. Their calls reach 188 decibels, while a jet reaches 140 decibels.
Moreover, Where do blue whales live?
Blue whales live in all the world’s oceans, except the Arctic, occasionally swimming in small groups but usually alone or in pairs. They often spend summers feeding in polar waters and undertake lengthy migrations towards the Equator as winter arrives.
Secondly, What are 5 facts about blue whales?
Blue whales are the largest animals to have ever existed. Learn why they’re larger than any land animal and why they were hunted for years. A blue whale’s tongue alone can weigh as much as an elephant—its heart as much as an automobile. Earth’s largest animal, the blue whale can eat some 4 to 8 tons of krill per day.
Simply so, What depth do blue whales live in?
Blue whales can dive to depths of 1,640 feet (500 meters), but they usually feed around depths of less than 330 feet (100 meters).
Where do blue whales live in Australia?
This new Whale Watch frontier just off the Perth, Western Australian coastline is the feeding grounds for the largest aggregation of Blue Whales in the southern hemisphere. It is the only genuine place in Australia you can see Blue Whales as they feed on the krill that fill the Perth Canyon this time of year.
28 Related Question Answers Found
Do blue whales live in all oceans?
Blue whales are found in all oceans except the Arctic. They generally migrate seasonally between summer feeding grounds and winter breeding grounds, but some evidence suggests that individuals remain in certain areas year-round. In the North Atlantic Ocean, their range extends from the subtropics to the Greenland Sea.
Do whales live in Antarctica?
Six species of baleen whales are found in Antarctica — the huge blue whale, fin, southern right whale, sei, minke and humpback.
Why are blue whales called blue whales?
Blue whales get their name from their gray to blue coloration. If conditions are right, diatoms (planktonic photosynthesizers) will build up on their stomachs and make their undersides look yellowish. They are much longer than they are wide and have a small dorsal fin.
What are three facts about whales?
– The blue whale is the largest animal that ever lived and can grow to 90 or more feet and weigh as much as 24 elephants!
– Beluga whales have flexible necks, allowing them to move their heads.
– Gray whales make one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal: they travel about 10,000 miles (16,000 km) round trip!
Did you know facts about whales?
– The blue whale is the largest animal that ever lived and can grow to 90 or more feet and weigh as much as 24 elephants!
– Beluga whales have flexible necks, allowing them to move their heads.
– Gray whales make one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal: they travel about 10,000 miles (16,000 km) round trip!
Where do blue whales go to give birth?
Many females give birth in the warm waters of the southernmost leg of their journey, but research has not yet delivered a clear picture of the larger trends in blue whale reproduction.
How do whales survive in Antarctica?
Fat (or blubber) layers Whales, seals and some penguins have thick layers of fat (or blubber). These fat layers act like insulation, trapping body heat in.
How does a blue whale move?
Whales swim forward by flexing their tails up and down, instead of side to side as with most fish. To change direction, they move their flippers, similar to the way an airplane steers (read How Sharks Work for details). The dorsal fins, if present, serve to stabilize the whale’s body as it swims.
What is the most common whale?
Our most common whale species are harbour porpoise, white-beaked dolphin, minke whale, humpback whale and blue whale.
Why are blue whales called Blue?
The Blue of the Blue Whale Comes Partially from the Sea Although blue whales are thought to have a deep blue color, when they are at the surface of the water they actually appear grey. When blue whales dive down again, the color of the water and the light from the sun make them look deeper blue than they really are.
What is so special about whales?
Whales are mammals just like we are. Just like us, they breathe air, have hair, are warm-blooded, give birth to live young, and feed their young milk. Whales are unique, beautiful, graceful and mysterious; they nurture, form friendships, innovate, grieve, play, sing and cooperate with one another.
How does the blue whale survive in Antarctica?
The whales live in chilly waters around Antarctica and survive by eating tiny crustaceans called krill. The researchers analyzed the genetics of 215 Antarctic blue whale tissue samples (from 166 individuals) collected between 1990 and 2009.
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