Whales are the biggest mammals and are under the classification
of Cetaceans. They are further divided into two groups
based on whether they have a set of teeth (Odontoceti)
or no teeth (Mysticeti).
Types of Whales
Blue Whales
Blue whale is the type of whale more familiar to a lot
of people since it often represents the largest mammal
in the whole world. It can grow as long as 108 feet
and can reach a weight of more than 172 metric tons.
A blue whale has elongated and lean body. The dorsal
area's color varies in shades of bluish grey and lighter
shade underside the body.
Orca Whales
An orca whale is more known as the killer whale. It
is a very violent type of whale but does not establish
threat to humans. An orca whale that reaches adulthood
can grow as long as 105 feet and can reach a weight
of almost 200 metric tons. An orca whale has a black
back and white sides and chest. Its eyes have white
patches behind and above. A baby whale has a yellowish
color in its skin. This fades away later on and becomes
white as the whale matures. This type of whale is the
largest of the dolphin family.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whale or the Baleen whale that reaches adulthood
can grow as long as 50 feet and can reach a weight of
36,000 kilograms. Its significant features are the unique
body shape, elongated pectoral fins, and a knobby head.
A humpback whale loves to show off its acrobatic talents
such as slapping and rupturing the water.
Beluga Whale
A beluga whale or the white whale that reaches adulthood
can grow as long as 15 feet and can reach a weight of
up to 1600 kilograms for male and up to 1200 for females.
A newly born beluga whale has a brown or gray colored
skin. This color fades and becomes whitish grey or white
as the whale matures. This type of whale has a fatty
and oily bump on the forehead's center.
Fin Whale
A fin whale or the finback whale that reaches adulthood
can grow as long as 88 feet and can reach a weight of
70000 kilograms. Thus, letting it grab the second spot
as the largest whale in the world. Its features are
the brownish grey color of its top skin and a whitish
color underneath, a pointed snout, a pair of blowholes,
and a broad and flat rostrum. Fin whales are already
endangered species.
Gray Whale
A gray whale is often called the Devil Fish because
it fights really hard when hunted. An adult whale can
grow as long as 52 feet and can reach a weight of 36
tons. Its significant feature is the dark slated grays
color of the skin and gray and white patches spread
all over the whale's body.
Sperm whale
A sperm whale has the largest tooth on all mammals on
earth. It is called a sperm whale because of the white
and waxy substance excreted in its head. It was mistaken
that the substance was the whale's sperm. Although,
everyone knows that it's not sperms, the name remains.
An adult whale can grow as long as 67 feet and can reach
a weight of up to 57000 kilograms.
Vast oceans have whales living in them. Whales are commonly
spotted in the Antarctica and Arctic Oceans since they
are attracted to cool and deep waters. The movement
of whales is directly affected by the migration of their
preys such as fishes and other animals and the movement
of ice.
Whales are the biggest mammal living on earth. They
can be found in all oceans from polar to tropical. There
are seven types of whales where each type has significant
characteristics.
About the Author
Please click these links if you want to know more about
list of all whale types or list
of ocean animals in general.
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