Cetaceans Flashcards

1
Q

What animals do cetaceans include?

A

Whales, dolphins Porpoises

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2
Q

What is the difference between whales and dolphins?

A

cetaceans longer than about nine feet considered whales, and those less than nine feet long considered to be dolphins and porpoises.

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3
Q

What are the different groups of whale?

A

Right whale, Pygmy Right whale, Rorquals, Gray whale, Beaked whales, Sperm whales

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4
Q

What family do Right Whales belong to?

A

Balaenidae family

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5
Q

What waters do Right Whales reside?

A

Cool temperate / polar waters

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6
Q

What physical characteristics do Right Whales have?

A

They lack a dorsal fin and throat grooves. They have curved jaws.

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7
Q

What are the different types of Right Whale?

A

Southern Right Whale, Bowhead Whale. A Pygmy Right Whale is its own species.

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8
Q

Southern Right Whale - where do they reside?

A

Reside in southern hemisphere only.

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9
Q

Bowhead Whale - where do they reside?

A

Reside in arctic waters.

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10
Q

Pygmy Whale - belongs to what family?

A

Neobalaenidae family

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11
Q

Pygmy Whale - where reside, characteristics, comparison to other baleen whales, numbers, scientific names?

A

Reside in southern hemisphere only.
Small dorsal fin, short flippers and weakly arched jaw. No callosities on head. Ivory colour baleen plates.
Smallest baleen whale.
Sparse population.
Caperea marginata.

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12
Q

Which is the smallest baleen whale?

A

Pygmy right whale

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13
Q

What are baleen whales?

A

Blue whale, humpback whale, fin whale, gray whale, common minke whale, balaenidae

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14
Q

What are baleen plates and what whales have them?

A

fringed plates in whales mouth for filter feeding. Only baleen whales have them.H

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15
Q

How do all baleen whales feed?

A

Filter feeders

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16
Q

Which group are the largest family of baleen whales?

A

Rorquals

17
Q

What are rorquals names after and why?

A

Named after Norwegian word for “furrow whale” due to furrows on their throat which expand mouth for filter feeding.

18
Q

Rorquals - where do they breed and feed?

A

Breed in temperate waters, move to polar waters to feed in the summer.

19
Q

Rorquals - characteristics

A

Long flippers and dorsal fin set towards the rear of the body.

20
Q

What types of whale belong to the rorqual group?

A

Humpback whale, fin whale, Bryde’s whale, blue whale, sei whale, minke whale.

21
Q

Humpback whale- characteristics, feeding habits, scientific name?

A

Tail flukes have identifiable markings, long flippers, tail fin set towards rear of body.
Bubble nets to catch food.
Megaptera novaeangliae.

21
Q

Fin whale - what is it said to be and why?

A

“greyhound of the sea” as it is fast moving.

22
Q

Fin whale - physical characteristics, behaviour, scientific name?

A

Asymmetrical jaw colouration, long flippers and dorsal fin towards rear of body.
Gregarious, often in groups of 6 or more.
Balaenoptera physalus

23
Q

What is the difference between dolphins and porpoises?

A

Dolphins have longer noses, bigger mouths, more curved dorsal fins, and longer, leaner bodies than porpoises.

24
Q

Southern Right Whale -what physical characteristics do they have?

A

Have areas of pale skin which is identifiable on their head, no fin or throat grooves.

25
Q

Southern Right Whale - what is their scientific name?

A

Eubalaena australis.

26
Q

Bowhead Whale - physical characteristics?

A

Have long baleen plates and arching lower jaw as well as no dorsal fin or throat grooves.

27
Q

Bowhead Whale - feeding habits?

A

Feed on plankton.

28
Q

Bowhead Whale - behaviour?

A

Retreats under ice when threatened.

29
Q

Bowhead Whale - what is their scientific name?

A

Balaena mysticetus.