Greenland whale | Facts & Information

# Greenland whale | Facts & Information

Greenland whale | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About Greenland whale

The Greenland whale belongs to the order cetaceans, family Balaenidae. It is a species in danger of extinction, its hunting is prohibited by law.

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Greenland Whale

Greenland whale

The Greenland whale, scientifically known as Balaena mysticetus, is one of the most enigmatic and fascinating marine creatures. Weighing up to 80 tons and measuring up to 20 meters in length, this impressive mammal lives in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean and is one of the largest and least known whale species. In this article, we will explore the characteristics and behavior of the Greenland whale, offering a unique perspective on this extraordinary creature.

One of the most notable features of the Greenland whale is its immense size. This species can reach a length of up to 20 meters and a weight of up to 80 tons, making it one of the largest animals on the planet. Its massive body is adapted to survive in extreme conditions, with a thin layer of blubber and natural oils that maintain its body temperature constant. Although there are currently around 10,000 Greenland whales, they are still considered a vulnerable species.

The Greenland whale has a distinctive appearance, with a long and flattened body and a huge mouth. It primarily feeds on krill, which represents 90% of its diet, adapting to the low food availability in the polar regions. The whale feeds by filtering water through a unique system of baleen plates, which it uses to capture krill and other microorganisms from the water it lives in. An adult whale can consume up to two tons of food daily. This adaptation has made the Greenland whale one of the most efficient filter feeders in the animal kingdom.

The behavior of the Greenland whale is still a mystery to scientists. These creatures migrate over impressive distances, traveling from polar waters to the Caribbean in search of food. Greenland whales can reach speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour and can breach completely out of the water in spectacular actions called "breeches". These large leaps from the water are believed to be used for communication and to remove parasites that accumulate on their skin.

Greenland whales are social creatures and live in groups called "pods". These groups can vary in size from a few individuals to several tens. Communication within the group is particularly important and is done through specific sounds, such as the whale song. The Greenland whale song is one of the most complex and melodious in the animal kingdom, consisting of long and varied sounds that can be heard over distances of several kilometers.

Despite their size and their feeding grounds near the North Pole, Greenland whales have often been subjected to hunting in the past. Indigenous people in Greenland have hunted whales for centuries to ensure their food and survival materials. However, commercial hunting of Greenland whales is currently banned in most countries, and efforts are being made to conserve this fragile species.

In conclusion, the Greenland whale is a fascinating and unique creature in the animal world. With its impressive size and adaptations, it represents a symbol of power and mystery in the Arctic Ocean. In an era where the conservation of species is increasingly important, it is essential to understand and promote the protection of these extraordinary animals so that they can survive and continue to play their vital role in the ecosystem.

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Facts

Origin

These cetaceans live in groups (consisting of a small number of specimens) in Arctic and subarctic waters.

Feeding the Greenland Whale

About food, only the sea and the ocean can provide the necessary amount of food for the survival of this species.

Features Greenland Whale

The Greenland whale (Balaena mysticetus) has the largest phanons of all whale species.

The phanons have a black-brown or sometimes black-blue coloration, have a length of 4.6 m and reach a number of 240-340 on each side of the upper jaw of curved and curved shape.

They have body length of 14-18m and weight of 50-60 tons. The massive head has about a third of the total body weight. They are exclusively aquatic inhabitants and with a corresponding structure – the huge body only in water could have such good mobility.

The body of this whale is heavy and bulky, the head is also enormously large, seems unevenly built, and to the body passes directly without any clear delimitation.

Towards the posterior part the trunk is thinned and ends with a wide flipper, consisting of two symmetrical lobes, positioned horizontally. The forewings show two large, elongated flippers. The body is covered with smooth and greasy skin, predominantly dark blue or even black, without any outgrowths, whale lice or shells on its surface.

In the particularly thickened skin is stored fat (in a layer that is 43-50 cm thick) - which helps protect the body from the cold but also to cushion the large pressure variations, to which the whale is exposed when diving. The bones are soaked in liquid fat, weigh little, and their structure does not allow the animal to have a support on land.

Being an aquatic animal with a special adaptation, its breathing is done through the lungs. The whale quickly rises to the surface of the water by moving its tail fin, fills its lungs with air, then descends again into the depths.

Breeding Greenland Whale

Females have a gestation period of about a year, then give birth to a single cub that is breastfed for no more than 12 months.

Each female gives birth once every 3-4 years. At birth the cub is 4-5 m long and weighs no more than 1000 kg. Like other species of whales, the life expectancy of the Greenland whale is over 100 years.

In spring and autumn they migrate in groups of 14, swimming in The Shape of the letter V. their food consists of krill, plankton, mollusks and crustaceans. Their worst enemies are killer whales and sea lions.

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Greenland whale | Facts & InformationGreenland Whale | Discover Fascinating Facts and Information About Greenland Whale