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| Cetaceans |
The largest marine animals are the cetaceans, which include the largest animal on Earth – the blue whale
It can reach a length of 33 metres and a weight of 181 tons. It' heart has the dimensions of a Volkswagen car. The grey whale migrates more than 10,000 miles each year, the longest migration of any mammal.
| Other cetaceans include dolphins, porpoises and dugongs. The cetaceans are also classified as mammals, since they nurture their young on milk from mammary glands and have a thick blubber (fatty layer), amongst other features. Their forelimbs are adapted as flippers. |
Other marine mammals include seals and walruses. Beluga whales are characterized by their unique creamy white colour and have an extensive vocal repertoire and have long been called the "sea canary" by seamen who heard their many sounds.
As many as 50 call types have been recognized. Dolphins, including the bottlenose ones, were thought by ancient Greeks and Romans to bring mariners good luck, and appeared frequently in their legends. In fact, the Greeks honored them on more than 40 coins. |
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