Blue Whales

Scientists at the University of British Columbia and the Smithsonian Institution have discovered a sensory organ in rorqual whales that coordinates its signature lunge-feeding behaviour – and may help explain their enormous size. A new sensory organ, found within the chin of rorqual whales, is responsible for coordinating the biomechanics of their extreme lunge-feeding strategy. Left, a fin whale after lunging; right, anatomy of the new sensory organ.  Art by Carl Buell, arranged by...Read Full Story

New York TimesScientists find what made some whales the largest animals on EarthLos Angeles TimesBy Thomas H. Maugh II US and Canadian researchers have discovered a grapefruit-sized organ in the chin of rorqual (baleen) whales that controls the expansion of their massive jaws during feeding and that has allowed them to become the largest animals ...Newly Discovered Organ Could Explain Size, Eating Habits Of Some WhalesRedOrbitNewly Discovered Sensory Organ Helps Whales Grab Meals On The...Read Full Story

Science CodexScientists discover a new sensory organ in the chin of baleen whalesScience CodexLunge feeding in rorqual whales (a group that includes blue, humpback and fin whales) is unique among mammals, but details of how it works have remained elusive. Now, scientists from the Smithsonian Institution and University of British Columbia have ...Scientists find new organ behind whales' giant gulpMyFox Washington DCScientists find new sensory organ in whalesAFPKriller instinct: Special organ...Read Full Story

New York TimesNew Sensory Organ Discovered In Rorqual WhalesPlanetSave.comBy Nathan On May 23, 2012 A new sensory organ has been discovered in rorqual whales. The discovery may help explain the great success of their 'lunge-feeding method'. Rorqual whales are a subgroup of baleen whales that includes, blue, fin, minke, ...Special organ in jaw helps whales take big gulpsmsnbc.comHow whales open their huge mouthsBBC NewsScientists find new sensory organ in whalesAFPDiscovery News -New York...Read Full Story

TG DailyNew sensory organ discovered in whalesTG DailyScientists at the University of British Columbia and the Smithsonian Institution have discovered a new sensory organ in rorqual whales that appears to tell it when it's worth taking a big gulp. Rorquals are a subgroup of baleen whales with a special, ...New Sensory Organ Discovered In Rorqual WhalesPlanetSave.comSpecial organ in jaw helps whales take big gulpsmsnbc.comHow whales open their huge mouthsBBC NewsAFP -Discovery Newsall 55 news...Read Full Story

Virginia Beach, VA (Vocus) February 12, 2009 Witness humpback or fin whales because they frolic over the Virginia Beach coastline. The air is cool, however the suspense keeps we warm because we await when whenever we see the splendid creature – often weighing as much as 40 tons – emerge within the water. The season opened with visitors experiencing a uncommon sighting of the North Atlantic proper whale as well as its calf inside early January. The sighting rate for whales last month had...Read Full Story

Nature Scientists at the University of British Columbia and the Smithsonian Institution have discovered a sensory organ in rorqual whales that coordinates its signature lunge-feeding behaviour — and may help explain their enormous size. Rorquals are a subgroup of baleen whales — including blue, fin, minke and humpback whales. They are characterized by a special, accordion-like blubber layer that goes from the snout to the navel. The b Read more...Read Full Story

If you’ve been following my ramblings in recent months, it’s probably obvious that I’ve been spending an increasing proportion of my time with large cetaceans. My schedule for next year is no exception, with 12 to 13 weeks or so planned for whale photography. For those of you who are crazy enough to contemplate joining me on one of these adventures, I’ve set out basic trip descriptions below. If you read on, you’ll no doubt notice that many of the trips are already booked. This is because I...Read Full Story

The scientists found some humpbacks traveling from Antarctica across the Without so many baleen whales (krill eaters) visiting Antarctica the krill Yancey at the Bay of Whales, Antarctica - 1947AntarcticaKiller whales in the AntarcticThe great baleen whales, squid and some species of penguins feed entirely on Humpback Whales in Antarctica. The picture is a scan of an old film picture.Strength in numbers … surveyors will use aircraft to count minke whales in Unlike the other wildlife of...Read Full Story

Gliding through deep waters, these magnificent blue whales are the biggest marine fish and have been in existence for a long time. Earlier, these whales were seen dwelling in deep oceans. However, now on the verge of extinction, these whales are mainly found in the deeper waters of Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. Blue whales are often seen traveling in pairs and emit low frequency sounds to maintain distance among themselves. Though they dwell in cold waters, during winters they migrate to...Read Full Story