TED-ED: Why are blue whales so enormous? - Asha de Vos

The video explores the immense size of blue whales, which are the largest animals to have ever existed. Their size is largely due to their diet of krill and their efficient lunge feeding strategy. Despite their massive size, blue whales have small esophagi, limiting their diet to krill. The ocean's buoyancy supports their size, unlike land animals like elephants. However, the energy demands of lunge feeding limit their maximum size to about 33 meters. The video highlights the evolutionary adaptations that allow blue whales to thrive on krill, emphasizing the saying, 'You are what you eat.'

What is the primary diet of blue whales?

• Seaweed

• Krill

• Plankton

• Small fish

How do blue whales increase their feeding efficiency?

• By hunting in groups

• By swimming faster

• By using lunge feeding

• By diving deeper

What is the estimated daily krill consumption of a blue whale?

• Eight tons

• Two tons

• Four tons

• Six tons

Why are blue whales able to grow so large compared to land animals?

• They have a high-calorie diet

• They are supported by water buoyancy

• They have stronger bones

• They have more muscle mass

What limits the size of blue whales despite the ocean's support?

• Lack of food

• Increased energy demands

• Predators

• Water temperature

What evolutionary adaptation helps blue whales feed efficiently?

• Sharp teeth

• Baleen plates

• Thick blubber

• Long fins

What is the maximum size a lunge feeder like the blue whale can grow?

• 35 meters

• 30 meters

• 25 meters

• 33 meters