The Anatomy and Physiology The Anatomy and Physiology of of

Toothed and Baleen WhalesToothed and Baleen Whales

Brunilda CruzBrunilda Cruz

Like all mammals…Like all mammals…

Whales breathe air into lungs. Whales breathe air into lungs. They have hair. They have hair. Whales are warm-blooded.Whales are warm-blooded. Whales have mammary glands with which Whales have mammary glands with which

they nourish their young. they nourish their young. Whales have a four-chambered heart. Whales have a four-chambered heart.

Toothed WhaleToothed Whale(Killer Whale)(Killer Whale)

Counter shading allows the Counter shading allows the Orca to blend into the Orca to blend into the ocean environment and ocean environment and camouflage itself from prey.camouflage itself from prey.

Color differences may also Color differences may also help orcas identify the help orcas identify the opposite sex since females opposite sex since females have an oval genital patch have an oval genital patch with three black spots and with three black spots and males have an elongated males have an elongated white patch with a single white patch with a single black slit covering the black slit covering the penis. penis.

ReproductionReproduction In the wild, orcas become In the wild, orcas become

sexually mature between sexually mature between the ages of 10 and 18 the ages of 10 and 18 years of age and are years of age and are thought to be actively thought to be actively reproducing by the time reproducing by the time the male reaches about the male reaches about 20 feet in length and the 20 feet in length and the female reaches about 16 female reaches about 16 feet.feet.

At birth, a calf is generally At birth, a calf is generally about 6-7 feet long and about 6-7 feet long and weighs around 400 weighs around 400 pounds. pounds.

Male or Female?Male or Female?

The male’s dorsal fin The male’s dorsal fin is upright and up to is upright and up to six feet taller than the six feet taller than the female’s dorsal fin.female’s dorsal fin.

The female dorsal fin The female dorsal fin goes up to 4 feet tall.goes up to 4 feet tall.

TeethTeeth Orcas have 10-14 pairs of Orcas have 10-14 pairs of

large sharp teeth distributed on large sharp teeth distributed on each side of the jaw, for a total each side of the jaw, for a total of 40 to 56 pairs. of 40 to 56 pairs.

The teeth curve inwards and The teeth curve inwards and backwards - this helps the orca backwards - this helps the orca catch its prey. catch its prey.

Teeth average about 3 inches Teeth average about 3 inches long and about 1 inch in long and about 1 inch in diameter, but some are even diameter, but some are even longer. longer.

An average-sized orca will eat An average-sized orca will eat about 550 pounds of food a about 550 pounds of food a day. day.

Spouting-BreathingSpouting-Breathing

Orcas breathe air at the Orcas breathe air at the surface of the water surface of the water through a single blowhole through a single blowhole located near the top of located near the top of the head. Their blow is a the head. Their blow is a single, low bushy cloud. single, low bushy cloud.

They take 4 short breaths They take 4 short breaths 10 to 30 seconds apart 10 to 30 seconds apart and then dive for between and then dive for between

1 and 4 minutes.1 and 4 minutes.

The Orca's circulatory system utilizes many The Orca's circulatory system utilizes many arteries and veins in the flippers, flukes and arteries and veins in the flippers, flukes and dorsal fin that allow it to transfer heat from the dorsal fin that allow it to transfer heat from the body in warm conditions or conserve heat it as it body in warm conditions or conserve heat it as it swims in icy seas. swims in icy seas.

Its size also helps conserve heat as its surface Its size also helps conserve heat as its surface area to volume ratio is lower than other area to volume ratio is lower than other mammals. mammals.

A high metabolic rate increases heat production A high metabolic rate increases heat production while a coating of blubber reduces heat loss, while a coating of blubber reduces heat loss, streamlines its body to conserve energy and streamlines its body to conserve energy and serves as food storage. serves as food storage.

Whale FlukesWhale Flukes

A Whale's tail is composed of two lobes, each of which is A Whale's tail is composed of two lobes, each of which is called a fluke. There is a notch, a v-shaped indentation called a fluke. There is a notch, a v-shaped indentation where the flukes (or lobes) of a Whale's tail meet. where the flukes (or lobes) of a Whale's tail meet.

Flukes move up and down to propel the Whale through Flukes move up and down to propel the Whale through the water. the water.

Flukes have no bones in them. They are made of Flukes have no bones in them. They are made of muscles and dense fibrous tissue. muscles and dense fibrous tissue.

The arteries that supply the flukes with blood are The arteries that supply the flukes with blood are surrounded by veins to maintain the Whale's surrounded by veins to maintain the Whale's temperature. temperature.

The Blue Whale's flukes are the largest and are 25 feet The Blue Whale's flukes are the largest and are 25 feet wide. wide.

Photos of Whale FlukesPhotos of Whale Flukes

The heartbeat of a Whale varies from Whale to The heartbeat of a Whale varies from Whale to Whale. Like all larger animals, they have a Whale. Like all larger animals, they have a slower heart rate than smaller animals. slower heart rate than smaller animals.

The average heart rate of large Whales is from The average heart rate of large Whales is from about 10 to 30 heart beats per minute. about 10 to 30 heart beats per minute.

The heart rate of the beluga was measured at The heart rate of the beluga was measured at 12-20 beats per minute. 12-20 beats per minute.

Whales lower their heart rate when they dive Whales lower their heart rate when they dive beneath the water, this conserves oxygen and beneath the water, this conserves oxygen and lets them dive longer. lets them dive longer.

Right WhaleRight Whale

Baleen WhalesBaleen Whales(Right Whales)(Right Whales)

The Right Whales head is The Right Whales head is approximately 1/3approximately 1/3rdrd of its of its body’s length.body’s length.

one skull of a Baleen Whale one skull of a Baleen Whale was measured at 5.2 meters was measured at 5.2 meters and weighed 2,200 pounds. and weighed 2,200 pounds.

The jaw in this head is greatly The jaw in this head is greatly arched, allowing the right arched, allowing the right whale to carry extremely long whale to carry extremely long baleen plates, up to 9 feet baleen plates, up to 9 feet long. About 205-270 plates are long. About 205-270 plates are found on each side of the found on each side of the mouth with a clear opening in mouth with a clear opening in the front.the front.

The Right Whales skeleton is simple and compared to The Right Whales skeleton is simple and compared to other whales it is light.other whales it is light.

The skeleton accounts for only about 14-15% of the The skeleton accounts for only about 14-15% of the whale's total body weight.whale's total body weight.

The Whale's spine consists of 55-57 vertebrae including The Whale's spine consists of 55-57 vertebrae including 7 cervical, fused in the neck region apparently to hold 7 cervical, fused in the neck region apparently to hold the enormous head, 14-15 thoracic, 10-11 lumbar, and the enormous head, 14-15 thoracic, 10-11 lumbar, and 25 caudal.25 caudal.

In comparison humans have 33 vertebrae -- 7 cervical, In comparison humans have 33 vertebrae -- 7 cervical, 12 dorsal, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal.12 dorsal, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 4 coccygeal.

Almost all mammals have seven cervical (or neck) Almost all mammals have seven cervical (or neck) vertebrae no matter how long the neck.vertebrae no matter how long the neck.

Photo of Right Whale SkeletonPhoto of Right Whale Skeleton

Right whales have 14-15 pairs of ribs Right whales have 14-15 pairs of ribs while humans have 12 pairs.while humans have 12 pairs.

There arm bones (humerus, radius and There arm bones (humerus, radius and ulna) in the right whale are extremely short ulna) in the right whale are extremely short compared to human proportionscompared to human proportions

The pelvic region in the whale is reduced The pelvic region in the whale is reduced to an elongated pelvic bone.to an elongated pelvic bone.

The flipper of the Right Whale is similar to The flipper of the Right Whale is similar to a human hand.a human hand.

The Right Whale’s tail muscle’s are the The Right Whale’s tail muscle’s are the largest part of its body.largest part of its body.

Right Whale SkinRight Whale Skin

Right Whale’s have very thin skin.Right Whale’s have very thin skin. Their skin can be rubbed off very easily.Their skin can be rubbed off very easily. Researchers have observed numerous Researchers have observed numerous

white marks on right whales.white marks on right whales. The skin covers a thick layer of blubber, The skin covers a thick layer of blubber,

strong muscles, and a lightweight strong muscles, and a lightweight skeleton. skeleton.

Skin flaps on the dorsal (bottom) side of Skin flaps on the dorsal (bottom) side of the whale cover its genitalia (two nipples the whale cover its genitalia (two nipples and birth canal in the female and a and birth canal in the female and a retracted penis in the male). The whale's retracted penis in the male). The whale's genital slit is located further back along the genital slit is located further back along the central dorsal line from the navel but central dorsal line from the navel but before the anus.before the anus.

BlubberBlubber

The first purpose of the blubber is that it is used as a The first purpose of the blubber is that it is used as a barrier, to maintain the warmth inside the whale and barrier, to maintain the warmth inside the whale and prevent heat loss to the cold ocean water.prevent heat loss to the cold ocean water.

Second, the blubber serves as a food reservoir, this is Second, the blubber serves as a food reservoir, this is especially important when the whales cannot find large especially important when the whales cannot find large patches of zooplankton in northern waters or when patches of zooplankton in northern waters or when female Right Whales are pregnant, they move to warm female Right Whales are pregnant, they move to warm

southern waters.southern waters. Third, Blubber is used as fairing material.Third, Blubber is used as fairing material.

Digestive SystemDigestive System

Scientists believe that Right Whale’s have three Scientists believe that Right Whale’s have three major chambers in the stomach, possibly four, major chambers in the stomach, possibly four, the fourth being an extension of the intestine. the fourth being an extension of the intestine.

Food passes through the whales mouth into its Food passes through the whales mouth into its esophagus, on its way to the whale's multi-esophagus, on its way to the whale's multi-chambered stomach. chambered stomach.

It then passes through the intestine and the It then passes through the intestine and the remaining waste eliminates into the ocean.remaining waste eliminates into the ocean.

The first chamber in all whales is a The first chamber in all whales is a dilatable, sac-like, extension of the dilatable, sac-like, extension of the esophagus with no digestive glands. esophagus with no digestive glands.

The second chamber is where digestive The second chamber is where digestive juices are released, pepsin and juices are released, pepsin and hydrochloric acid have been found in parts hydrochloric acid have been found in parts of the stomach of some whales. of the stomach of some whales.

Most Whales have a third chamber, which Most Whales have a third chamber, which is the pyloric part of the stomach.is the pyloric part of the stomach.

KidneysKidneys

Like human’s the Right Whale uses its kidneys Like human’s the Right Whale uses its kidneys for cleaning the blood and separating out the for cleaning the blood and separating out the waste products for later removal from the body. waste products for later removal from the body.

Eliminating waste products brought in by the Eliminating waste products brought in by the kidney requires a certain amount of water. kidney requires a certain amount of water.

Not only is water necessary for the production of Not only is water necessary for the production of urine, but for feces, oxygen extraction in the urine, but for feces, oxygen extraction in the lungs, and in most mammals for sweating lungs, and in most mammals for sweating (temperature regulation). (temperature regulation).

How they intake waterHow they intake water

Scientists believe these animals do not Scientists believe these animals do not drink seawater, but satisfy their need for drink seawater, but satisfy their need for water with the fluids contained in their water with the fluids contained in their diets. diets.

Plankton-eaters, such as right whales, Plankton-eaters, such as right whales, must produce a urine that is more must produce a urine that is more concentrated than seawater in order to concentrated than seawater in order to accommodate their diet and any accommodate their diet and any incidentally swallowed seawater. incidentally swallowed seawater.

Whales lose additional water when they nurse Whales lose additional water when they nurse their young.their young.

One solution is the concentrated milk (30-40% One solution is the concentrated milk (30-40% fat) as compared to cow's milk (4% fat).fat) as compared to cow's milk (4% fat).

This type of milk is not just needed for fast This type of milk is not just needed for fast growth of the baby, but to economize on the growth of the baby, but to economize on the mother's fluid levels. mother's fluid levels.

A more watery milk would dehydrate the mother A more watery milk would dehydrate the mother who cannot easily feed with a newborn by her who cannot easily feed with a newborn by her side.side.

Spout-BreathingSpout-Breathing

A Right Whale has a A Right Whale has a distinctive V-shape blow.distinctive V-shape blow.

Most of their time is spent Most of their time is spent underwater.underwater.

most right whales most right whales average 5 to 10 breaths average 5 to 10 breaths at intervals of 15 to 30 at intervals of 15 to 30 seconds before diving for seconds before diving for 5 to 30 minutes. Most 5 to 30 minutes. Most deep dives are about 20 deep dives are about 20 minutes. minutes.

GenitaliaGenitalia

Right whales exhibit similar reproductive organs as other Right whales exhibit similar reproductive organs as other mammals, with some distinctive differences.mammals, with some distinctive differences.

The female's mammary nipples are hidden within skin The female's mammary nipples are hidden within skin slits on either side of her body just forward of the genital slits on either side of her body just forward of the genital slit. The umbilicus (belly button) is forward on this ventral slit. The umbilicus (belly button) is forward on this ventral line. The anus is located closer to the tail stem. line. The anus is located closer to the tail stem.

In males, the penis is coiled within the body cavity. The In males, the penis is coiled within the body cavity. The erect penis may reach a length of 10 to 11 feet. A male's erect penis may reach a length of 10 to 11 feet. A male's testes may weigh up to a ton or more.testes may weigh up to a ton or more.

ReproductionReproduction

Nobody has ever witnessed a large whale giving Nobody has ever witnessed a large whale giving birth, scientists estimated the gestation period to birth, scientists estimated the gestation period to be between 350 and 400 days.be between 350 and 400 days.

Calving takes place during the winter off the Calving takes place during the winter off the coasts of Georgia and northern Florida. coasts of Georgia and northern Florida.

The calves are four to five meters long at birth The calves are four to five meters long at birth and weigh approximately 1760 pounds. The and weigh approximately 1760 pounds. The mother nurses the calf for 10 to 12 months mother nurses the calf for 10 to 12 months during which the calf grows to between 8 and 10 during which the calf grows to between 8 and 10 meters and 11000 pounds. meters and 11000 pounds.

Calving intervals are three to five years, which Calving intervals are three to five years, which includes a one year lactation period and a one includes a one year lactation period and a one year gestation period. year gestation period.

Males don't participate at all in raising the calf. Males don't participate at all in raising the calf. Researchers have rarely spotted males in the Researchers have rarely spotted males in the

calving grounds off the southeast coast, and the calving grounds off the southeast coast, and the only times males and females interact is during only times males and females interact is during sexual behavior. sexual behavior.

MatingMating

ReferencesReferences

http://www.graysreef.nos.noaa.gov/whalebhttp://www.graysreef.nos.noaa.gov/whalebook/anatomy.htmlook/anatomy.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjecthttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/whales/species/Orca.shtmls/whales/species/Orca.shtml

http://www.worldwidewhale.com/orcafacts.http://www.worldwidewhale.com/orcafacts.phpphp

Any Questions?Any Questions?

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