Whales: Characteristics and conservation of marine mammals

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 blubber for insulation and energy storage during migrations.

These mammals are categorized into two primary groups: baleen whales and toothed whales. Baleen whales, such as blue and humpback whales, use flexible plates to filter small organisms like krill from the water. Toothed whales, including orcas and sperm whales, hunt prey like fish and squid, often utilizing echolocation to navigate and hunt.

Whales exhibit complex behaviors, including long-distance migrations and sophisticated communication through clicks, whistles, and songs. While commercial hunting previously caused significant population declines, modern threats include pollution, ship collisions, underwater noise, and changes to ocean ecosystems.