Steve Connor explains how this magnificent mammal evolved to such mammoth proportions. The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived, far bigger than any of the dinosaurs.

Whales are a widely distributed and diverse group of fully aquatic placental marine mammals. As an informal and colloquial grouping, they correspond to large members of the infraorder Cetacea, i.e. all cetaceans apart from dolphins and porpoises. Dolphins and porpoises may be considered whales from a formal, cladistic perspective.

Openings for nostrils, their blowholes, are on the top of the head. Baleen whales have two blowholes, toothed whales have one blowhole. Their spine moves mainly up and down like other mammals, pressing their tail flukes against the water so they can move forward.

On the throat, the Gray whale has two to seven grooves of excess skin. These grooves expand and contract, allowing the whale to scoop up giant mouthfuls of food and water when it’s feeding. During feeding, the whale’s mouth is open a lot so it won’t get hypothermia in the cold waters.

This article will give you a basic understanding of a whales anatomy and explain why these physical adaptations are so important to their survival.

Feb 24, 2025 · Embark on your next whale watching adventure with our ultimate guide to whale anatomy, biology, and observable behavior—designed to elevate your whale watching experience by revealing the secrets behind their spectacular surface displays!

Dive deep with the giants of the ocean. Explore the wonders of whale anatomy and physiology, from their baleen filters to their powerful flukes.

Mar 21, 2012 · Baleen, blubber, and blowholes: A comprehensive fact sheet on whales, the famous marine mammals of the order Cetacea.

Learning about the anatomy of the Blue Whale enables us to better understand and appreciate the beauty of the Blue and their larger than life way of living! Blue Whale Heart. Weighing in at 200+ kilograms the heart of a Blue Whale is enormous and the …

Whale skeletons have a long vertebrae (back-bone) like all vertebrate animals, including fish. But unlike fish, they have large ribs around their lungs, and the bones inside their flippers have five fingers exactly as do human hands.