WhalesWhales

By: Nicki CarderBy: Nicki CarderGrade 3Grade 3

What is a Whale?What is a Whale?

A whale is a large, magnificent, intelligent A whale is a large, magnificent, intelligent mammal.mammal.

Whales have special made bodies just for Whales have special made bodies just for them that help them move easily through them that help them move easily through the water.the water.

Whales breathe air through a blowhole Whales breathe air through a blowhole into their lungs, unlike fish who breathe into their lungs, unlike fish who breathe through their gills.through their gills.

OrcaOrca

Killer whales are found in all oceansKiller whales are found in all oceans Killer whales may live for up to 35 years!Killer whales may live for up to 35 years! Males have a tall, straight dorsal fin, while that of Males have a tall, straight dorsal fin, while that of

the female isthe female issmaller and hooked. smaller and hooked.

Each day they eat about 4% of their body weightEach day they eat about 4% of their body weight

Click here Click here to listen to an orca whale!to listen to an orca whale! Click here Click here to Watch an orca (killer whale) Splash in the waterto Watch an orca (killer whale) Splash in the water

Humpback WhaleHumpback Whale

Humpbacks occur in all oceans of both hemispheresHumpbacks occur in all oceans of both hemispheres Humpbacks feed in northern waters in summer, then Humpbacks feed in northern waters in summer, then

migrate south tomigrate south tomate and have children during the winter. They mate and have children during the winter. They usually do not feed during this time.usually do not feed during this time.

When on the breeding grounds in winter, male When on the breeding grounds in winter, male humpbacks makehumpbacks make

long, beautiful, complicated vocalizationslong, beautiful, complicated vocalizations!!

Click here to listen to a humpback whale!Click here to listen to a humpback whale!

Pilot WhalePilot Whale

Pilot whales are one of the most common Pilot whales are one of the most common inshore species in Newfoundlandinshore species in Newfoundland

They stay together in groups. They are They stay together in groups. They are very social with one another.very social with one another.

Pilot whales are some of the noisiest Pilot whales are some of the noisiest whales in Newfoundland waters whales in Newfoundland waters

Occasionally, groups of pilot whales slowly Occasionally, groups of pilot whales slowly swim ashore and beach them-swim ashore and beach them-selves selves

Click here to watch a pilot whale!Click here to watch a pilot whale!

Fin WhaleFin Whale

The fin whale is a common whale The fin whale is a common whale throughout the northwest Atlanticthroughout the northwest Atlantic

In winter they generally migrateIn winter they generally migratesouth as far as Florida south as far as Florida

Fin whales are extremely fast swimmers, Fin whales are extremely fast swimmers, with speeds in excess of 20 km/with speeds in excess of 20 km/hour hour

They are very loud, and make low They are very loud, and make low frequency sounds, this could be used for frequency sounds, this could be used for communicationcommunication

Click here, to watch a fin whale spray out of the surface of the Click here, to watch a fin whale spray out of the surface of the water!water!

Beluga WhaleBeluga Whale

Beluga whales live in groups called pods; a pod Beluga whales live in groups called pods; a pod is a cohesive social unit is a cohesive social unit

They eat octopus; squid; crabs; shrimp; clams; They eat octopus; squid; crabs; shrimp; clams; snails; sandworms; and fishes such as capelin, snails; sandworms; and fishes such as capelin, cod, herring, smelt, and flounder cod, herring, smelt, and flounder

Belugas have very good hearing, and have Belugas have very good hearing, and have highly developed brainshighly developed brains

Sperm whaleSperm whale The Sperm Whale's blow hole is at an The Sperm Whale's blow hole is at an

angle on the left side of its head angle on the left side of its head Sperm whales are even harder to find than Sperm whales are even harder to find than

other species because they don't stick out other species because they don't stick out of the water very much and their of the water very much and their distinctive blow is small and easily missed.distinctive blow is small and easily missed.

We now know that Sperm whales are not We now know that Sperm whales are not dangerous to peopledangerous to people

Blue WhaleBlue Whale Blue whales are found throughout the Blue whales are found throughout the

world's oceans world's oceans These gentle giants have grayish-blue skin These gentle giants have grayish-blue skin

with light spots with light spots Measuring 70 to 80 feet in length Measuring 70 to 80 feet in length Blue whales were once considered too Blue whales were once considered too

difficult to hunt because of their speed and difficult to hunt because of their speed and tremendous size tremendous size

Gray WhaleGray Whale Gray whales are filter feedersGray whales are filter feeders Gray whales grow to be at most 45-50 feet Gray whales grow to be at most 45-50 feet

longlong The gray whale's skin is usually gray with The gray whale's skin is usually gray with

some blotchy white spots and has many some blotchy white spots and has many parasites parasites

Gray whales congregated in small pods of Gray whales congregated in small pods of about 3 whales about 3 whales

Websites to visit about whalesWebsites to visit about whales

Test on whalesTest on whales

Whale Pages to Color OnlineWhale Pages to Color Online