Whales and Whalewatching on the Northeast Coast
Tomorrow morning, we go in search of . . .
Whales!
Where Did They Come From?
Evolution of Whales1. Diacodexis-primitive terrestrial hooved animal
2. Pakicetus-terrestrial cetacean
3. Ambulocetus-amphibious cetacean
4. Dorudon-fully aquatic early cetacean; note elbow and hindlimbs
5. Balaena-recent whale
Whale Family Tree
Anatomy
. . . everything is Whale-sized!
Dorsal Fin
Flukes
Pectoral Fin/FlipperVentral Grooves
Baleen Eye
Blowhole/nostril
Caudal peduncle
How Whales Feed
Finding Food by Echolocation
Scrimshaw
Filter Feeding With Baleen
Filter Feeding
Diatoms Copepods
Even Fish and Squid
Sand Lance
Bubble feeding
Longevity: How Long Does A Whale Live?
16 Year Old Harbor Porpoise Tooth
Whale Lice
Migration
Whaling
Subsistence Whaling
Modern Threats: Entanglement
Overfishing
Military Applications
Baleen Whales
Blue Whales
Humpbacks
Minke
Fin Whales
Toothed Whales
Orca
Atlantic White-sided Dolphins
How to tell them apart . . . clues for identification
• Dorsal fin shape
• Fluke shape
• Blow pattern
Dorsal Fins
Flukes
Humpback
Right
Blows
Photoidentification
Humback Flukes
Let’s Go Whaling…2003 Style!
Stellwagon Bank
A Footprint!
Behaviors
Flipper Slapping
Fish & Other Marine Life
Sea Birds
“Uh-oh. Howard. Across the street—whalewatchers.”
Repeat after me . . .
• Calm seas . . .
• No rain . . .
• Lots of whales!