Live from the R/V SEA EXPLORER- Humpback Whales off the coast of Dana Point! Rorqual whales all have pleats in their throats to allow expansion of the mouth when they are filter feeding. Humpbacks are more distantly related than the other rorquals and their appearance reflects it. In comparison with the other rorquals, humpbacks have very long pectoral flippers, are more robust, and have knobs covering their flippers and face. All mysticetes (baleen whales) are filter feeders. Humpbacks often feed cooperatively by blowing circles of bubbles in the water, corralling the fish. Then one of the whales will swim up through the middle, getting a large mouthful of fish or krill. This is called bubble netting. Humpbacks are also the most acrobatic of all the baleen whales, often breaching high into the air.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:05:30 +0000
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