Today is the day to meet the whales and dolphins in the sea
Dolphins and whales are cetaceans, that is, mammals that have completely adapted to living in water. Although it may seem to us that because they are in that environment they are completely different from us, in reality there is a lot we share in terms of the way we behave. Do you want to discover some curiosities about these beautiful animals?
Who are the whales
In case you didn't know, whales are the largest animal that exists on the entire planet, so much so that some can even measure 25 m in length. And how much is that? More than two buses together! Can you imagine coming across one of them when you are swimming in the sea? How afraid we would feel! However, it is a completely harmless animal, since in addition to being peaceful , it feeds only on small crustaceans and plankton.
Whales include several types, such as sperm whales, blue whales or the beautiful orcas. Something they share with humans is a taste for music , and they are so passionate about it that their own sounds work like a song, whose tones are so catchy that the other members of the herd also imitate them. And when they get tired of the same ones, they invent new ones!
As for their food, being so large they are not able to separate food from drink. So they open their mouth wide and let the sea water enter it, and thanks to an organ located in their cheeks, they manage to expel part of it and keep the food it brings. A diet that must be full of nutrients, because some specimens of whales can live no more and no less than 200 years. More than twice as many as humans!
But do you know another fact that science has shown can influence your longevity? The bond of friendship they create with other specimens , especially between females. They meet with those with whom they have shared good times and play, sing and swim happily. Friendship knows no species!
And what about the dolphins?
Dolphins are mammals that enjoy human interaction. If you have ever taken a boat or any type of vessel, it is likely that you have seen them swimming around as if to greet and entertain the passengers. In reality, they don't come out to greet us, but to breathe . And they do it every few minutes voluntarily through a hole called a blowhole .
These peculiar animals that seem to smile have highly developed hearing , and what for us is a simple sound, for them there are approximately 700. It's hard to imagine, right? But in addition to hearing very well, they are also capable of vocalizing a multitude of sounds , and it seems that when a new member is born, its mother repeats several times one that is unique as if indicating that that is its name. And, without a doubt, they are special!
To sleep, they are able to control their brain . Let's say they have two independent parts and while one sleeps, the other is in charge of breathing. Are you surprised? Well there's even more, while they do it, they only close one of their eyes. You have to stay alert! Although the truth is that when one has problems, the rest of the dolphins come to their aid , and even when one is injured, they all take them to the surface so they can breathe. A great example of camaraderie!
We hope you liked these curiosities about whales and dolphins. Do you know those of other species?
