THE KINGS OF MARINE BIOLOGY
Did you know that February 20th is a global Whale Day? If not, did you ever think of that special day that belongs to the majestic creatures ? Actually, the every day should be their day as they are one of a kind.
The whales themselves are categorized in 2 groups, depending on their biology and social behavior but the fact is that they are very big placental ocean mammals that share many common things with other well known marine mammals, even with humans themselves . According to the wildlife research, there are baleen ( mysticetes) and toothed whales( adontocetes). The first group has special baleen plates in their moths, enough for plankton, while other group of whales has teeth which enable them to deal with bigger prey.
I find very interesting the comment of one scientists that compared whales with humans, approaching their specific social behavior and style of living in the family. The whales look like different than human beings but indeed they breathe air, the are warm -blooded , give birth to their young and nurture love and friendship connection the best way they can. Those gentle giants are more mystical than we ever thought and their pattern of internal relationships is still a big challenge to wildlife experts.
There are about 90 species of whales or other called cetaceans. The most famous is indeed the great whale or the blue whale, due to the large size. It is reported that this animal is also the largest animal that ever lived on the earth. It could grow up to 90 or more feet and weigh as 24 elephants( 150,000 kg). This big whale belongs to the family of baleen, with estimated lifespan up to 90 years. Unfortunately, their existence is pretty much endangered by increased commercial fishing, vessel strike, ocean noise and loss of habitat as well as ocean pollution. Their number is dropping down and the protection measures must be serious reconsidered and implemented.
The next popular ocean friend is humpback whale that live in all oceans around the world. They travel a lot, migrating from one side to another and they have the longest journeys than any other animal. For the purpose of better food sources in cold areas, they may swim up to 5,000 miles, knowing to not eat up to 7,5 months. Their activity in ocean is almost like friendly dance and the sound or songs they create is something worth of watching or hearing.
The sperm whales were almost at the extinction:“They are named after the waxy substance—spermaceti—found in their heads. The spermaceti is an oil sac that helps the whales focus sound. Spermaceti was used in oil lamps, lubricants, and candles. Sperm whales were a primary target of the commercial whaling industry from 1800 to 1987, which nearly decimated all sperm whale populations. While whaling is no longer a major threat, sperm whale populations are still recovering”
The bowhead whale is famous for its long life. This baleen whale is found in Arctic and subarctic water and it is written that this mammal can live up to 200 years. They communicate in one perfect sound language, informing each other’s about potential danger or food source. As always, the human greed put this beautiful animal at all risks.
The whales are unique creatures that need to be protected and their existence is the crucial part of our marine environment and ocean ecosystems. They regulate the harmony in ocean life, taking care of flora and fauna in marine biology. Each of them has a role that is significant on this planet and only Homo sapiens dared to challenge their rights and freedom. That madness of illegal fishery, criminal whaling and slaughtering of innocent whales must be stopped, legally punished and those lands that support such a lunacy must be condemned. For how long we will tolerate to lose one of the most important ocean mammals because of evil and greedy people ? I guess it is time for all of us to wake up and ask our governments to work on regulations for proactive protection of whales and also on preventive international cooperation regarding their wildlife status. We can’t risk anymore about any single animal species, especially not about those majestic critters that just want to have their peace, deep in the ocean. The moment of truth is now and here, it is our right and our obligation to do something for them and for our planet, before the madness has gone too far.
SARAH MAX RESEARCH 
What an amazing and what an educational article, Sarah !
Whales are highly intelligent and beautiful creatures. They also play a critical role in the ecological system. When will humans ever learn that, by killing so many of them, they are disturbing the current balance that exists in the oceans ?
There are still three countries that practice whaling for profit, namely, Japan, Norway, and Iceland. Shame on their governments for still allowing this cruel and evil practice to take place. Whaling has to be banned everywhere before it’s too late. The time to act is now !
Thank you, Sarah, for this critical message and for being a voice for the voiceless in this cruel world. Your indefatigable commitment to the Animal Cause is commendable and so much needed !
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Thanks for the partial photo crediting, Sarah. Perhaps it’d be a good next step to identify the photographers too. Otten, just mentioning the publisher, the media vehicle, or ‘online’ masks the real stringer author or authors who may not even be under contract for that particular pic any longer. If his or her name won’t show, their effort is half lost and in consequence, their own professional marketability suffers. Cheers
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Sarah’s enchanting and informative article brought to mind the novel ‘Moby Dick’ (1851), by the US-author Herman Melville…
The author began scribbling down ideas for the rough draft in early-1850; drawing upon his personal experiences as a common sailor (1841-44), which included working on whalers.
Moby Dick was based upon an actual albino sperm whale (died 1838) that migrated along the western coast of South America. Whalers named this whale after Mocha Island off the coast of Chile. The whale managed to evade and survive many attempts by whalers to capture and kill him, which they did, eventually.
Accounts by Hispanic whalers reached Nantucket in North America, and US-whalers began searching for the albino whale; as if it were some sort of trophy to be had. He tried to rescue a female whale with her calf from whalers, but he was killed in the attempt; twenty harpoons in his body, which they extracted the equivalent of 100 barrels of oil from.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 by the US-government made it illegal to hunt and kill whales. Though, several countries continue to support whaling.
There is an albino male sperm whale that migrates along the eastern coast of Australia and Antarctica; the only known albino whale on the planet.
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