What is a whale?
A whale is a marine mammal belonging to the group of animals known as Cetacea (porpoises and dolphins also belong in this group).
How did they get the name whale?
'That sea beast Leviathan, which God of all his works created hugest that swim the ocean stream.' Leviathan comes from the Bible and like most other languages the English language has evolved the word Leviathan to Whale.
How did they evolve?
Whales, Dolphins and porpoises are believed to have evolved from a group of furry land mammals called the mesonychids.
How many or what types of whales are there?
Whales are divided into 2 groups: Baleen Whales (eg Humpbacks) or Toothed whales (eg Sperm whales). There are about 10 species of Baleen whales and 60 species of Toothed whales.
What do they eat?
Baleen whales eat small crustaceans like Krill, whereas the toothed whales have a larger diet. Toothed whales have a diet consisting of fish, Giant Squid, seals and other whales.
How long do they live for?
In general mammals reach sexual maturity when they have lived 15% of their lives. If this rule holds for whales, which is yet to be confirmed then the following life expectancy holds:
- Right Whale 40 years
- Blue Whale 35 -40 years
- Humpback 45-50 years
- Sperm Whales 70 years or more.
Note: It is generally accepted that whales live to a similar age as humans.
Do they like to eat people?
Not Generally
How big are calves?
Rorqual calves are born the equivalent of 5-6% of their mothers body weight.
- Right Whales 4.8m & 4064Kg - 5080Kg (4 to 5 tonnes)
- Blue Whales 6.1 to 7.2m & 6096Kg - 8128Kg (6 to 8 tonnes)
- Humpbacks 4.2m & 2540Kg (2.5 tonnes)
- Sperm Whales 4.5m & 1016Kg (1 tonne)
Questions about Whales