ACS/Cabrillo Aquarium Whale Watch Test Flashcards
1
Q
The GROUP of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises is _______. Animals in this order are called ________.
A
The GROUP of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises is Cetacea. Animals in this order are called Cetaceans.
2
Q
List the characteristics shared by cetaceans and other mammals.
A
The shared characteristics are:
1) Warm Blooded
2) Hair
3) Air breathers
4) Live young
5) Eat milk
3
Q
Toothed whales belong to suborder _________.
A
Toothed whales belong to suborder Odontoceti.
4
Q
The Odontocetes have how many blowhole(s)?
A
The Odontocetes (toothed-whales) have one blowhole?
5
Q
How many blowhole(s) do the Mysticetes have?
A
Mysticetes have two blowholes.
6
Q
If a whale has baleen it is a member of which suborder?
A
Baleen whales are members of the suborder Mysticeti and are called Mysticetes.
7
Q
What is the proper Genus species for the Pacific Gray Whale?
A
Eschrichtius robustus
8
Q
What is the current estimate of the population of Pacific Gray whales?
A
The current estimate is 21,000 whales.
9
Q
What are two different parasites commonly found on Gray whales?
A
Barnacles (1 species) and Lice (3 species).
10
Q
Gray whales can live _____ years or more.
A
Gray whales can live 60 years or more.
11
Q
Gray whales can weigh up to ______ tons.
A
Gray whales can weigh up to 40 tons.
12
Q
Are Gray whale females or males larger?
A
The female Gray whale is slightly larger than the male.
13
Q
What is the average length of the gray whale?
(note: it’s a range)
A
The average length of a gray whale is
40 to 45 feet.
14
Q
What is the maximum known length for the gray whale?
A
The known maximum length is 50 feet.
15
Q
How many throat grooves do gray whales have?
A
Gray whales have 2 to 5 throat grooves or ventral pleats.
16
Q
What type of breathing do gray whales employ?
A
Gray whales are Voluntary breathers. They must consciously control each breath.
17
Q
What material is baleen made from and what are two things that humans have that are made from the same material?
A
Baleen is made of Keratin. Our hair and nails are also made of keratin.
18
Q
Gray whale milk has a consistency
resembling _____ _____.
A
Gray whale milk has a consistency
resembling Cottage Cheese.
19
Q
A mother whale is called a ______ and the offspring is considered a ________.
A
A mother whale is called a cow and the offspring is considered a calf.
20
Q
A newborn gray whale calf averages _____ to _____ pounds.
A
A newborn gray whale calf averages 1000 to 1500 pounds.
21
Q
Gray whales average _____ to _____ feet in length at birth.
A
Gray whales average 12 to 16 feet in length at birth.
22
Q
How long do gray whales calves usually nurse?
A
Gray whale calves usually nurse for 7 to 9 months.
23
Q
What is the fat content of gray whale milk?
A
Gray whale milk has roughly 53% butterfat.
(Humans milk contains about 4.5% fat)*
*Belitz, H. (2009). Food Chemistry (4th ed.). Berlin: Springer. p. 501 [table 10.5]. ISBN 978-3-540-69935-4.
24
Q
What can be found the each dimple of a gray whale calf?
A
There is a hair in each dimple.
25
Which historical stock of gray whale is now extinct?
The _North_ _Atlantic_ stock has been hunted to extinction.
26
Which historical stock of gray whale is critically endangered?
The _Western_ _Pacific_ stock of gray whale is critically endangered.
27
The Eastern Pacific gray whale was removed in 1994 from the _____ \_\_\_\_\_ _____ \_\_\_\_\_.
The Eastern Pacific gray whale was removed in 1994 from the _Endangered_ _Species_ _Act_ _List_.
28
Protection is afforded to gray whales and, in fact, all marine mammals by the _____ \_\_\_\_\_ _____ \_\_\_\_\_.
Protection is afforded to gray whales and, in fact, all marine mammals by the _Marine_ _Mammal_ _Protection_ _Act_.
29
The _round trip_ distance of the annual gray whale migration is _____ to _____ miles.
The round trip distance of the annual gray whale migration is _10,000_ to _14,000_ miles.
30
What are the two major predators of gray whales?
1) Humans
2) Orca
31
Human threats to gray whales include \_\_\_\_\_, _____ \_\_\_\_\_, and _____ \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_.
Human threats to gray whales include _Entanglement_, _Ship_ _Strikes_, and _Degradation_ _of_ _Habitat_.
32
What is the preferred name for the gray whale found along the California coast.
The _Pacific_ _gray_ _whale._
33
What are two purposes of blubber?
Blubber serves as _insulation_ and as an _energy reserve._
34
How thick is the blubber of a healthy gray whale?
A healthy gray whale's blubber is _6_ to _10_ inches thick.
35
The primary diet of gray whales is made up of _____ \_\_\_\_\_.
The primary diet of gray whales is made up of _gammarid_ _amphipods_.
36
Gray whales are believed to be the only Mysticetes to feed mainly on creatures found here.
Gray whales feed on _Benthic_ or _Bottom_ organisims.
37
In what two seas are gray whales commonly found feeding on benthic organisms during the summer?
The _Chukchi_ and _Bering_ seas.
38
What prey found in kelp beds do gray whales sometimes feed upon?
(hint: not gammarid amphipods)
Gray whales will feed on _mysid _ _shrimp_.
39
True or False
Gray whales are known to echolocate.
FALSE
Gray whales have acute hearing, but do not echolocate like the Odontocetes
40
Name the behavior of a whale sticking its head straight up out of the water, sometimes as far as the eye.
_Spyhopping_
41
What is it called when a whale propels most of its body rapidly out of the water?
_Breaching_
42
What are two theories as to why whales breach?
1) Navigation
2) Communication
( I think they do it because it's fun! )
43
When a whale lifts its entire tail out of the water it is called \_\_\_\_\_.
_Fluking_ often occurs prior to a dive.
44
These flat "pancake-like" spots on the water are caused by the _upward_ movement of the flukes near the surface of the water.
_Flukeprints_ can be used to find and track whales. They can last from several seconds to several minutes on the surface of the water.
45
What color is gray whale baleen?
Gray whale baleen is _ivory_ colored
46
How long is gray whale baleen?
Gray whale baleen is roughly _15 inches_ in length.
47
How many baleen plates do gray whales have on each side?
There are _130_ to _180_ plates of baleen on each side of a gray whale's mouth.
48
What do gray whales have instead of a dorsal fin?
Gray whales have _6_ to _14_ **dorsal knuckles** or all together they are called the **dorsal ridge**.
49
As a group, what are the 6 to 14 dorsal knuckles called on a gray whale?
The _dorsal_ _ridge_ is comprised of individual dorsal knuckles.
50
Of the 3 species of whale lice found on gray whales how many are _only_ found on gray whales (species specific)?
**_2_** of the three species of whale lice found on gray whales are species specific.
51
The barnacle *Cryptolepas rhachianecti* is found only on this animal.
This barnacle is species specific to the gray whale.
52
There was once a shore-based whaling station here on our local coast.
Portuguese Bend on the Palos Verdes peninsula once had a whaling station.
53
How many Westen Pacific gray whales are believed to exist?
There are only _100 - 125_ Western Pacific gray whales left.
54
In what year was the Marine Mammal Protection Act passed?
The MMPA was enacted in _1972_!
55
When is a gray whale considered sexually mature?
Male and female gray whales reach sexual maturity at around **_8_** years of age.
56
How long is the reproductive cycle for the female gray whale?
2 years
57
What is the gestation period of the gray whale?
The gestation period is about _12_ to _13_ months.
58
How much weight can a calf gain per day while nursing?
Calves can gain _25 - 75_ pounds per day on their mother's milk.
59
How long does it take to get from the northern feeding grounds of the gray whale to the lagoons of Baja?
The migration takes roughly 3 months each way.
60
What is the distance of the annual gray whale migration?
The migration is _5,000_ to _7,000_ miles **each way.**
Or _10,000_ to _14,000_ miles round trip!
61
True or False
Gray whales have the longest known migration.
**False**
The humpback whale has a longer annual migration - up to 16,000 miles.
62
How high is a gray whale blow?
The heart-shaped blow is roughly _10_ _feet_ high.
63
How long can a gray whale hold its breath?
Gray whales can hold their breath up to _25 minutes_, though it is usually shorter when we see them here.
64
Do all Pacific gray whales go to the feeding grounds in the Chukchi and Bering seas?
_No_. There are groups found summering off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon,and even down to central California.
65
What are the differences between a seal and sea lion?
*Trick question!!*
Sea lions ARE seals. The pinnipeds are divided into eared and earless seals, and walruses.
(There is another card for differences between eared and earless seals)
66
What is translation for pinniped?
Pinniped means "fin-footed", "feather-footed", or "wing-footed".
67
What pinnipeds can we expect to see on our outings?
_California sea lions_ are very common. We may also see _harbor seals_. Less commonly, we may see _elephant seals,_ _Stellar sea lions_, and _fur seals_.
68
How large are adult California sea lions?
_Males_: 850 pounds and 7 to 8 feet in length
_Females_: 240 pounds and 6 feet in length
69
What is the unique structure seen on the head of _mature_, _male_ California sea lions.
The _sagittal crest_ is a large, bony ridge found on sexually mature male sea lions.
70
What is the average migration speed of the gray whale?
_3_ to _5_ knots is the average *migration* speed of *E. robustus.*
71
Roughly, what is the top speed of *E. robustus.*
The gray whale can swim at up to _10_ knots.
72
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and _______ are two external parasites found on gray whales.
_Barnacles_ and _whale lice_ are two external parasites found on gray whales.
73
The blow of a gray whale is often described as \_\_\_\_\_\_-shaped and is roughly _____ feet tall.
The blow of a gray whale is often described as _Heart_-shaped and is roughly _10_ feet tall.
74
Baleen grows only from the _______ jaw in mysticetes.
Baleen grows only from the _upper_ jaw in mysticetes.
75
How many species of lice are found on the gray whale?
_3_ species of lice are found on the gray whale.
76
\_\_\_\_\_ of ____ whale lice species found on the gray whale are species specific.
_2_ of _3_ whale lice found on the gray whale are species specific.
77
Which is the only spade-toothed cetacean likely to be seen in our waters?
_Dall's porpoise_
78
An adult male California sea lion weighs about _____ pounds.
An adult male California sea lion weighs about _850_ pounds.
79
An adult *female* California sea lion weighs about _____ pounds.
An adult *female* California sea lion weighs about _240_ pounds.
80
What are the three most common pinnipeds found here?
(List largest to smallest)
1. Northern Elephant Seal
2. California Sea Lion
3. Harbor Seal
81
List four species of dolphin most likely to be found on our whale watching trips.
1. Bottlenose
2. Risso's
3. Common (long-beaked and short-beaked)
4. Pacific white-sided
82
Dolphin teeth are \_\_\_\_\_-shaped.
Porpoise teeth are \_\_\_\_\_- shaped.
Dolphin teeth are _cone_-shaped.
Porpoise teeth are _spade_- shaped.
83
What is the largest bird *likely* to be encountered on our trips?
The _brown pelican_.
84
The gular pouch of the brown pelican can hold up to _____ gallons of water.
The gular pouch of the brown pelican can hold up to _2.5_ gallons of water.
85
Name the two species of common dolphin found in our warters.
1. Long-beaked
2. Short-beaked
86
When should a naturalist arrive at the boat they are working?
At least a _1/2 hou_r before departure time.
87
Whalwatch is cosponsored by _____ \_\_\_\_\_ Aquarium and the \_\_\_\_\_ _____ Society of Los Angeles.
Whalwatch is cosponsored by _Cabrillo_ _Marine_ Aquarium and the _American_ _Cetacean_ Society of Los Angeles.
88
When a pinniped leaves the water
it is called _____ \_\_\_\_\_.
When a pinniped leaves the water
it is called _Hauling_ _Out_.
89
The blubber of the gray whale is roughly _____ to _____ inches thick.
The blubber of the gray whale is roughly _6_ to _10_ inches thick.
90
In 1994, the gray whale was delisted from the ...
Endangered Species Act List
91
The gray whale is protected in US waters by this act which was passed in what year?
The _Marine Mammal Protection Act_ passed in _1972_ and protect all marine mammals, including polar bears, in U.S. waters.
92
The preferred term for a Whalewatch member is \_\_\_\_\_.
Naturalist
93
Two or more cetaceans observed together is called a/an \_\_\_\_.
_Pod_
94
Two possible reasons for whales breaching are:
Two possible reasons for whales breaching are:
1. Navigation
2. Communication
95
What extinct animal was even larger than the blue whale?
_None_.
The blue whale is the largest animal to have ever lived on Earth.
96
This animal is mottled or uniform gray with white scaring and has a large head.
Risso's dolphin
97
This cetacean, often seen playing in the surf close to shore, has a stubby beak and swollen forehead or 'melon'.
Bottlenose dolphin
98
Modern whales evolved from these ancient whales.
Archaeocetes
99
What are two ways that cetaceans use blubber?
1. Insulation
2. Energy reserves
100
This pinniped has rotating hind limbs.
Eared seals such as California sea lions and fur seals.
101
This is the largest pinniped in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Northern Elephant Seal
102
This benthic organism is the primary food source of many gray whales.
Gammarid amphipods
103
Cetaceans leaping almost entirely out of the water is called...
Breaching
104
*Genus* *species* of the top marine predator.
*Orcinus orca*
105
This dolphin has a bi-colored dorsal fin.
Pacific white-sided dolphin
106
This dolphin has a white/tan hourglass pattern on its body.
The common dolphin
107
Baleen whales with a high number of throat grooves or ventral pleats.
Rorquals
108
This commonly seen gull has a pale gray back and yellow legs.
California gull
109
A cetacean's tail is comprised of two \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
A cetacean's tail is comprised of two _flukes_.
(Each side is referred to as a fluke - singular.)
110
True or False
All gray whale calves are born in the protected lagoons of Baja California
False
Many gray whales are born before the cow gets to the lagoons.
111
True or False
A female gray whale will mate with the same single male every year
_False_
A female gray whale may mate with **multiple** males in a single year.
112
During whale watch season, most birds will be in ______ or _______ plumage.
During whale watch season, most birds will be in _Winter_ or _Basic_ plumage.
113
Name 4 common gulls we are likely to see on a whale watching trip.
1. California gull
2. Western gull
3. Heerman's gull
4. Bonaparte's gull
114
This bird is mostly black, sits low in the water, and can dive to 180 feet.
The cormorant.
115
"Flap, flap, glide, flap, flap, glide describes the flight pattern of this bird that can be found in very large groups.
Shearwater
116
Nicknamed the "greyhound of the sea", this whale is the second largest in the world.
Fin or Finback whale
117
What are the differences between eared and earless seals?
**_Eared_** (includes sea lions and fur seals)
1. Hind limbs rotate under allowing them to walk.
2. External ear flaps
3. Mainly use front flippers for swimming power stroke
**_Earless_** (includes harbor and elephant seals)
1. Hind limbs do not rotate, move like inch worm on land
2. No external ear flaps
3. Use mainly rear flippers for swimming power stroke
118
What nickname is often used for newborn gray whales.
A newborn gray whale is often called a
**_Pickle_**!
119
