![]() ![]() They are among the loudest animals on the planet, emitting a series of pulses, groans, and moans, and it is thought that in the right oceanographic conditions, sounds emitted by blue whales can be heard by other whales up to 1,000 miles away. They generally spend summers feeding in polar waters and undertake lengthy migrations towards the equatorial waters as winter arrives.īlue whales typically swim at about 5 miles an hour while they are feeding and traveling, but can accelerate to more than 20 miles an hour for short bursts. We engage our partners as we develop regulations and management plans that foster healthy fisheries and reduce the risk of entanglements, create whale-safe shipping practices, and reduce ocean noise.īlue whales sometimes swim in small groups but are more often found alone or in pairs. We use a variety of innovative techniques to study, protect, and rescue these endangered animals. NOAA Fisheries and its partners are dedicated to conserving and rebuilding blue whale populations worldwide. The primary threats blue whales currently face are vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear. The number of blue whales today is only a small fraction of what it was before modern commercial whaling significantly reduced their numbers during the early 1900s, but populations are increasing globally. There are five currently recognized subspecies of blue whales. Some of the biggest individuals may eat up to 6 tons of krill a day.īlue whales are found in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean. They feed almost exclusively on krill, straining huge volumes of ocean water through their baleen plates (which hang from the roof of the mouth and work like a sieve). Our whale watching tours in Long Beach and Los Angeles give visitors the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embark on a sea adventure! Our cruises give you front-row tickets to the coolest performance in the world – in addition to whales, you might see dolphins, sea lions, and other beautiful marine creatures.Blue whales are the largest animals ever to live on our planet. With enough knowledge, consideration, and action, though, we can combat these dangers and help provide a cleaner, safer ocean for these animals.įor those wanting to catch a glimpse of whales up close and in the wild, visit Harbor Breeze in Southern California. Chemicals from oil spills and other disposed waste are extremely toxic for both whales and all sea life. Additionally, pollution is another leading cause of declining whale populations. Thankfully, though, this number has declined over time, for many countries have set regulations and restrictions that have outlawed whaling. Although not a natural predator, humans have practiced commercial whaling for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, there are also things that whales can’t protect themselves from. This allows them to protect the young in the middle while attacking with their tail from behind. If they feel threatened, though, whales will form a circle with their head facing inward, tail facing out. Again, by traveling in numbers, whales make it harder for sharks or orcas to target a specific member. So we know how whales defend themselves, but how do whales protect their young ? Well, whales protect their young similarly to how they’d protect themselves – by traveling in pods. Due to their size, whales reduce the risk of predation by traveling together. Traveling in groups (known as pods) is also another effective tactic. When being attacked, whales can thrash their tails around, both injuring and frightening their attacker. ![]() These are especially true for larger whale species. However, the two primary tools of defense for whales are 1.) their tail and 2.) their size. For whales that are toothed, they can use their teeth to attack their prey and protect themselves from certain dangers. And as apex predators, these creatures are dangerous for just about any sea animal.Īs previously mentioned, whales have a few different tactics when it comes to defending themselves. Also known as killer whales, orcas aren’t really whales they’re actually the largest of the dolphin species. Aside from sharks, though, the only other animal that has been known to prey on whales is the orca. And although any whale is for the taking, whales that are young or sick are the most vulnerable since they are the easiest to target. However, there are a couple of sea creatures that have been known to prey on whales, with the most notable being sharks, particularly great whites. So, what eats whales ? You’d think that being so big whales wouldn’t have any natural predators – and they typically don’t. But how do they do it? And how effective are they? Well, before we begin, let’s first take a look at what actually eats whales. ![]() ![]() As some of the largest animals on Earth, whales have a few different tricks up their sleeves when it comes to defending themselves. ![]()
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