Baby whales, the adorable and awe-inspiring offspring of the magnificent cetaceans that grace our oceans, have many fascinating features and behaviors. These marine mammals, which include species like the mighty killer whales and the majestic humpback whales, form close-knit family units known as pods. Within these pods, they navigate the depths together, warding off threats from sharks and other predators, while also nurturing their precious young.
As these gentle giants migrate across vast distances, baby whales grow and learn from their family members, socializing with other marine animals such as dolphins and porpoises. They breathe through their blowholes and, depending on the species, feast on krill or fish. During their annual molt, calves shed their skin in preparation for the journey ahead. Despite years of commercial whaling, these resilient sea creatures have endured, and continue to dazzle us with their beauty, strength, and incredible family bonds.
1: Baby Whales Can’t Breathe Underwater
Surprisingly, baby whales are unable to breathe underwater despite being marine creatures. As mammals, they don’t have gills for underwater respiration. Instead, whales rely on their blowholes to inhale air from the water’s surface. They don’t use their mouths for breathing – only for eating.
The necessity to hold their breath while submerged makes whales impressive divers. On average, a whale can hold its breath for about 90 minutes before needing to surface for air. That’s as long as a typical movie lasts!
During the mating season, a newborn whale enters the world tail first, with its umbilical cord connected until moments after birth. While in the uterus, the offspring are nourished and protected against changes in temperature and pressure. While rare, some species may even give birth to twins!
In summary, baby whales, like other members of their species, are unable to breathe underwater. They rely on their specially adapted blowholes to maintain their oxygen supply while diving deep into the ocean.
2: Whale Calves are Seriously Huge!
Whale calves, particularly those of blue whales, are enormous creatures even at birth. A newborn calf typically weighs a staggering six to eight tons and takes around 10 to 15 years to fully mature. They have a life expectancy of up to 90 years in the wild.
In their early stages of life, baby blue whales can gain a remarkable 200 pounds a day, thanks to their mother’s high-fat milk. This impressive growth rate makes blue whale calves the fastest-growing animals on Earth.
Other large whale species, like sperm whales and right whales, also have sizable newborns. Calves from these species generally weigh about a ton at birth. This enormous size from the earliest moments of life exhibits the staggering scale of these majestic marine mammals.
Beluga Calves’ Unique Swimming Ability
Beluga whale calves possess some truly distinctive traits, setting them apart from other whale species. These captivating young belugas have the ability to swim backward and blow bubbles, which is something their counterparts cannot do.
Interestingly, these little Arctic whales experience an annual molt, shedding their entire skin to reveal a fresh layer underneath. This regeneration process is yet another unique aspect of baby belugas.
Beluga calves have also adapted to their Arctic habitat in order to survive the frigid conditions. In contrast to other whales, they don’t have a dorsal fin, as it could cause excessive heat loss in icy waters. Instead, they rely on a thick layer of blubber beneath their skin to retain warmth and thrive in their icy homes.
4: Baby Bowhead Whales Can Live to be 200 Years Old!
Among all baby whales, bowhead whale calves hold the record for the longest lifespan, living for an incredible 200 years or more. This makes them not only the longest-living whales but also one of the most long-lived animals globally, earning them the top spot among mammals with the longest lifespan. As they grow, bowhead whales reach sexual maturity at approximately 25 years of age. The tenacity of these whales is truly remarkable!
5: Baby Whales Nurse Over 40 Times Daily
Baby whales experience rapid growth, with the largest species gaining up to 200 pounds a day. This tremendous growth is supported by the nourishment they receive from their mother’s milk. Whale milk differs significantly from cow’s milk in both texture and nutritional content.
Whale milk is much thicker and richer than cow’s milk, with a consistency similar to a milkshake or cottage cheese. This is because it has a high fat content, ranging from 35% to 50%, providing the necessary sustenance for the calf’s extreme growth.
During the feeding season, female whales can produce astonishing amounts of milk. In fact, some mothers can produce up to 200 liters of milk daily. Their mammary glands are no small feat either, weighing as much as a baby elephant!
Overall, baby whales benefit from frequent nursing, often more than 40 times a day, to support their remarkable development. This extraordinary feeding process is just one of the many fascinating aspects of whale life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baby whales’ names
Baby whales are known as calves.
Size of baby whales
The size of whale calves varies based on the species, with larger species giving birth to calves weighing around eight tons, while smaller ones have newborns as light as 85 pounds.
Diet of baby whales
During their first year, baby whales primarily consume their mother’s milk. After this period, they start feeding on fish, squid, and krill. Our whale research aims to uncover more fascinating facts about these majestic creatures, aided by the use of cameras and video technology to dive into the depths of their underwater lives.