Whales: Biological characteristics and conservation status

Whales are large marine mammals found in oceans globally, ranging from tropical to polar waters. As warm-blooded animals, they breathe air through blowholes and utilize a thick layer of blubber for insulation and energy storage during migrations.

These mammals are categorized into two primary groups: baleen whales, such as blue and humpback whales, which filter small organisms like krill through flexible plates, and toothed whales, including orcas and sperm whales, which hunt prey using teeth and echolocation.

Whales exhibit complex communication through clicks, whistles, and songs, and many species undertake massive annual migrations. While commercial hunting previously caused significant population declines, modern threats include pollution, ship collisions, fishing gear, underwater noise, and shifting ocean ecosystems.