Whale Knowledge Flashcard

Front

Which of the following statements about whales is true? Whales are cold-blooded like fish. Whales have lungs and breathe air. Whales feed their young with seawater. Whales do not have any hair on their bodies.

Back

Whales have lungs and breathe air.

Front

What is the closest living relative to cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises)? Options: Seals, Hippos, Sharks, Penguins

Back

Hippos

Front

Why are whales referred to as "conscious breathers"?

Back

They control when they breathe, unlike humans.

Front

What distinguishes baleen whales from toothed whales?

Back

Baleen whales use plates to filter food from water.

Front

How far can humpback whales migrate annually?

Back

10,000 kilometers

Front

What unique social behavior is observed in cetaceans?

Back

They communicate using distinct sounds and dialects.

Front

What is the ecological significance of whale excrement?

Back

It nourishes phytoplankton, which helps absorb carbon dioxide.

Front

What happens during a "whale fall"?

Back

A whale corpse sinks to the ocean floor and provides nutrients for deep-sea life.

Front

What is a significant threat to whale populations today?

Back

Increased commercial fishing and shipping.

Front

What percentage of Earth's oxygen is produced by ocean phytoplankton?

Back

50-85%.