whales
7 questions tagged whales — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
What is a narwhal's tusk?
A narwhal's tusk is actually a giant tooth — usually the left canine — that spirals out through the upper lip and can grow up to about 3 metres long.
Which marine animal is the largest known predator in the ocean?
The sperm whale is the largest living predator in the ocean. Adult males can exceed 16 meters in length and weigh around 45 tons.
Which marine mammal is the largest living animal in the ocean?
The blue whale is the largest animal alive today. The biggest individuals can exceed 30 meters in length and weigh around 150 to 180 tons.
Whose work first explained how whales use baleen to filter food?
Early naturalists described baleen, but the feeding mechanism was clarified through comparative anatomy by scientists such as John Edward Gray in the 19th century. Baleen whales strain tiny prey like krill and plankton from seawater.
When was the narwhal first scientifically described?
The narwhal was first scientifically described in 1758.
When was the humpback whale first scientifically described?
The humpback whale was first described in 1756.
Which whale is the largest animal alive today?
The blue whale is the largest animal alive, reaching about 30 meters in length and more than 150 tonnes in mass.