The Whale As An Interesting And Diverse Species

For those who study this fascinating ocean-dwelling and warm-blooded mammal, the story of the whale has an interesting and diverse species is added to with each passing year that it has been observed in its environment. For sure, there has been intensive study of this animal and the complex world that it creates and inhabits on the oceans and seas of this planet.

When discussing their evolution, it always comes as a surprise to those who don’t know about whales that their closest living relative is the hippopotamus. Both animals descended from a common ancestor that lived in India, in Kashmir, over 54 million years in the past. This ancestor finally entered the ocean for good nearly 50 million years ago.

Whales communicate with each other in a variety of ways, the most common probably being what is known as whale song. This particular “singing” has proven to be extremely diverse and complex in quality and characteristic. Whales use it in a variety of ways. Also, other than certain species of primates, whales — along with dolphins, humans and elephants — whales seem to be one of the few species that are self-aware.

The societal structure of whales is also complex. Existing in a group of whales known as a pod, males, females and calves arrange themselves in certain types of hierarchies that usually involve a pod being led by a single dominant bull — which is the term for a male of the species — cows (females) and calves (young whales). Non-dominant bulls live on the edges of the pod and may strike out on their own, eventually.

In terms of size, the Blue Whale is the largest currently existing mammal. It is also the largest animal that has ever lived. This particular species can grow up to 105 feet in length and 150 tons in weight. There are several other species nearly its equal in dimension. Whales generally are divided into two sub orders, whales that have tea and whales that strain seawater through a filter known as baleen.

Toothed whales are considered to be predators, with the most well-known probably being the Orca or killer whale. It wasn’t until the last 50 years or so that the whale has been looked at as more than just a convenient food source or commodity. Some species of whales have been so completely over-hunted that they are in danger of extinction if steps aren’t taken to protect them.

Studying the whale has always Nick de Kocks passion for as long as he can remember and has always wondered just how whales communicate with each another.