Whales are mammals. These marine animals are impressive in size. Translated from the Greek language, the word "whale" means "sea monster." In the old days, when fishermen began to notice such large creatures, disputes began to arise about whether it was a fish or an animal. Many people want to know where to see whales in our time, what lifestyle they lead, how many species exist. All this is covered in our article.
Description
The sizes of these animals are huge. The blue whale reaches a length of 25-30 meters, and its weight reaches 50 tons. However, there are smaller representatives of the species. These are dwarf whales. Their mass does not exceed 4 tons, and the body length is only 6 meters.
In all cetaceans, the body is spindle-shaped. This form allows them to easily glide in the water column. The huge head, which makes up about 27% of the body, has a slightly narrowed shape in front, which allows the animal to dissect the water during swimming.
The nostrils are shifted to the crown of the head. The eyes are small. They are not proportional to the body. Different individuals have differences in the structure of the teeth. So, baleen whales have bone plates instead.
The skeleton provides plasticity and helps to maneuver. The mammal carries out turns with the help of fins, which are formed from pectoral fins. The tail acts as a motor. It has a flat shape, high flexibility and well-developed musculature. At the end of the tail are blades. Many species of whales use their tail to stabilize their movement underwater.
The color of the mammal can be monophonic or anti-shade. With age, color changes. Cetaceans are deprived of olfactory receptors, and taste is poorly developed. They are not able to distinguish between food tastes and feel only salty food.
Whales have poor eyesight (myopia). But this flaw is offset by excellent hearing. Between themselves, they communicate with echolocation.
In dark water, animals rely on hearing. They have no vocal cords, but various sounds are produced when the air is pushed out. They are reflected from surrounding objects and come back. This method of echolocation helps whales to travel at kilometer depths.
Kinds
How many species of whales are there? Scientists divide all giants into two main groups: mustachioed and toothed. The second largest representative is the sperm whale. The former have the largest representative - the blue whale. This thirty-meter giant is quite rare. More often you can observe the southern species. They do not have specific migration routes. They are noticed in different countries of the world.
There are so-called killer whales. These are killer whales. So many are accustomed to consider, but according to strict classification they belong to dolphins. Killer whales are small, only about three meters in length. Despite their small size, they attack their relatives of larger sizes.
In the classification, there is a group of ancient whales, but all its representatives are considered extinct many years ago.
The cold oceans are able to provide conditions for the survival of these mammals. Huge accumulations of plankton in the waters of the Arctic and Antarctic feed the giants. In one day, animals filter tons of sea water, earning their own food. A whale swallows about 1000 kg of food per day.
Habitat
Whales in the ocean - a magnificent sight. These giants jump out of the water and fall back, uplifting fountains of spray. While on vacation near the habitats of whales, tourists do not miss the opportunity to watch these beauties. Where can I see whales in their natural habitat?
Russia
In Russia, giants can be observed in the Far East, in the Arctic. In May, whales sail to the shores of the Celtic Peninsula. Mammals live here for about a month. Whale watching in Russia is possible during cod spawning. During this period, sperm whales and minke whales come to eat fish. If you are lucky, you can meet bottlenose, bowhead whale, finwale, sail, humpback whale.
Where can I see whales in Russia yet? Killer whales live in Ongachan Bay on the Shantar Islands. They can be admired directly from the shore. Beluga whales, sulfur, bowhead whales come here to feed.
Once whalers lived on the islands. In the mid-twentieth century, it was believed that the population of polar and gray whales in the waters of Shantar was destroyed, so a ban was imposed on the fishery. This allowed the population to recover. Now in these places you can see flocks of whales that pass near the shore. More gray representatives of the species can be seen off the coast of Kamchatka and near Wrangel Island.
White whales are the most beautiful creatures of nature. Where can I see whales of this species in Russia? They live in northern waters. These animals appear in all their glory a few meters from the Beluga cape. White whales are considered cautious creatures and have a limited halo of habitat.
Africa
Where do whales live in Africa? These giant animals hold whole "festivals" that can be seen in South Africa near the city of Hermanus. Here they come for the birth of their babies. Here the mothers remain until the cubs grow up.
To enjoy whales, observation platforms are equipped on the shore of the bay. You can clearly see which pirouettes make whales in the bay. Often you can see how 20 or more individuals jump. This sight attracts tourists from all over the world. In the city, there was even a profession of a whale-keeper, whose responsibility is to inform where these animals can be expected.
Spain
Where do whales live in Spain? One of the popular habitats of underwater giants is the Bay of Biscay. There is a lot of plankton that giants feed on. When hunting for these animals was forbidden, a real paradise came for them here.
For several years, various sea excursions have been organized in these parts, allowing you to see mammals. But not only from the sea are these creatures visible. They can be observed from the shore.
New Zealand
Unique giants live off the coast of this country. Where can I see whales in nature? In New Zealand. Sperm whales, killer whales and kaikurs are found here. You can admire them at any time of the year on the South Islands.
In these places, ideal conditions for whale habitat: fish, plankton, cold current. The summer period lasts from October to March. Sperm whales swim off the coast of the island year-round.
California
You can see whales listed in the Red Book off the coast of California. This city is considered one of the best for observing the marine giants. Blue and gray whales are found in these places. They swim close to the shore, showing themselves in all their glory. Thrill lovers can head out to meet whales in boats.
Azores
Representatives of the family of baleen whales and toothed whales often visit the Azores. Giants sail here for mating games. In this place of the Atlantic Ocean, there are more than twenty species of whales, including blue. Once there was a whaling business, but now you can hunt animals only with a camera.
Iceland
The northeastern coast of Iceland is famous for the fact that here you can see many flocks of whales. This place is located near the town of Husavik. Skyalfandi Bay has long been considered the favorite habitat of giants. Here you can watch the killer whales play with their cubs, tossing them high into the air. If you are lucky, you can see a real parade of aquatic inhabitants.
In the mating season, whales sing. Their romantic songs are distributed throughout the county.
Norway
You can admire whale hunting for fish in Norway near the Lofoten Islands. They are located below the Arctic Circle. Here the warm Gulf Stream, providing a mild climate.
The waters here are full of herring. This is the favorite food of sperm whales, killer whales. In these places you can watch the real hunt of giants for small fish.
Vancouver
A procession of whales during migration takes place off Vancouver Island. Giants swim off the coast. During this period, they can be considered in detail. The procession can be enjoyed for hours. If you go to the ocean and enjoy the parade, looking towards the island, you will see wonderful views of the snow-white mountain peaks.
Argentina
In this country, on the Valdez Peninsula, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the rarest species of marine animals live - eared seals, elephant seals, southern whales, which delight in their size and harmonious shapes. Mammals come to the peninsula to procreate. In October, there are a lot of them.
Dominican Republic
The favorite habitat of humpback whales in the Dominican Republic is the coast of the Samana Peninsula. In these places, beautiful nature, pleasant climate. There are still places where no human foot has stepped.
The Samana Peninsula is located in the northern part of the republic. From January to March, fifty-ton humpback whales live here. The order of excursions is monitored by warships.
Greenland
The real whale kingdom is Greenland. In addition, here you can meet walruses, polar bears. For observing giant aquatic mammals, Aasiaat is considered an ideal place - a city called the whale capital.
Most often, whales can be observed from June to September, when the water is warmest.
Other countries
South Alaska is a place of migration of whales that leave California. Flocks of gray whales, killer whales, and humpbacks swim in these harsh waters. You can also meet here blue whales, which are listed in the Red Book.
You can watch the sea giants in Scotland in the area of the islands of Mull and Sky. In these places they sail from June to September.
Whales are found off the coast of Australia. You can watch them from April to November. It is winter here at this time of the year, so whales migrate here. In the city of Head-of-byte, you can follow them from the shore. In early June, humpback, blue and smooth whales are found in Australia. Their safety is monitored by the Australian authorities. After population decline due to mass extermination, the whales returned to these places again. Now they are protected.
