Activity 1
Read the text and figure out the characteristics of blue whale and gray whale.
A Blue and Gray “Whale of a Story”
Imagine carrying 250 tons of weight in a 100-foot body! Most of us would
think that a creature like that would be too obese to move. Quite the contrary! Even
though blue whales are the largest mammals, they are graceful, swift and
accomplished swimmers in the ocean. Gray whales, who grow to a shorter length of
45 feet and may weigh only as much as 30 tons, share the ocean waters with blue
whales. A volume of underwater studies has revealed some interesting facts on these
two similar, yet different sea creatures.
Excursionist along the southern coast of California can look out during the
autumn months and see gray whales migrating south to the Southern coast of Mexico
to breed. This coastal migration trip from the Artic to Mexico and back (12-20,000
km) is believed to be the longest of any mammal. On the other hand, blue whales
who are found in all oceans of the world, migrate north to tropical /temperate waters
during the winter months to breed. Regardless of their migration differences, both
these whale-types give birth to their young in warm waters and are definitely not too
obese to travel!
The blue whale prefers to exclusively dine on small, shrimp-like creatures
called krill. No wonder these whales are so big; they gorge themselves, consuming
an astounding 4 tons or more each day during the summer feeding season by sucking
krill in through their baleen plates. Blue whales most often travel in pairs and are
sometimes seen in larger groups. They are fast, strong swimmers, capable of
reaching 30 mph.
Gray whales, unlike blue whales, are bottom-feeders. They like to roll on
their side and suck up the sediment from the seabed that contains different types of
bottom- dwelling organisms. Gray whales feed in shallower waters and consume
less food than the blue whales – a mere 1-1.25 tons of food a day! Gray whales
typically travel in groups of 3 but congregate in hundreds when feeding.
In 1931, 2900 blue whales were killed in one season. Why? One 90 foot
whale could yield up to 120 barrels whale oil that could be used in a variety of things
such as candles. Blue whales were hunted to near extinction over the next several
years and then, belatedly, in 1966 the whales were granted protection from the
International Whaling Commission. Recovery has been slow. There are now an
estimated 8-12,000 blue whales remaining in the world’s oceans, primarily in the
Southern Hemisphere.
Similarly, there used to be 3 populations of Gray Whales – East Pacific,
West Pacific and Atlantic. The latter were hunted to extinction 300 years ago. Now
there are only 22,000 gray whales left in the world’s oceans, the majority located in
the East Pacific.
In 1988 when four gray whales were entrapped by ice in Alaska, help came
from all over the globe, highlighting the importance of these special creatures. People
enjoy following whales throughout the season. For example, Mark Carwardine, in his
book On The Trail of the Whale, talks about kayaking with gray whales throughout
his travels, noting the graceful manner of the gentle giants.
Though different in their exact physical features, their eating habits and
migration patterns, the blue and gray whale have both survived the abuse of man.
They are both large, graceful and swift sea creatures that travel long distances and
give birth to their young. Thanks to the International Whaling Commission, many
animal advocates, and researchers will continue to tell the story of blue and gray
whales, reveal more interesting facts about their lives and excite readers young and
old.
Activity 2
Classify the characteristics below into each type of whale.
1. 100 feet long – 250 tons. Body is long, somewhat tapered Blowholes have a blow
that is 20+ feet high.
2. Travel along the coast Artic to Mexico and back. Travel in groups of 3 within a
larger group of 16 – but congregate in 100s when feeding.
3. Shrimp-like creatures called krill. 4 tons a day during feeding season – but
don’t eat as the migrate – live off blubber.
4. 45 feet long – 30 tons. Stocky but slender whale with a small, narrow triangular
head and pointed paddle-like flippers. No dorsal fin, but series of bumps
(crenulations) along dorsal ridge.
5. Gray with lighter marks all over its body.
6. Bottom feeders – Eat off sediment from seabed that contains many organisms. 1-
1.25 tons a day.
7. Slate blue color on the top and lighter blue on the sides. Yellow on the back do to
growth of diatoms that attach themselves to the whale’s body. Dorsal fin.
8. Whaling industry focused on blue whales after 1900. A single 90 foot whale
could yield up to 120 barrels of oil so were killed. In 1931, 29,000 were killed in
one season. Were given Worldwide protection in 1966. Recover has been slow
and there now is an estimated 8-12,000 primarily in the So Hemisphere.
9. Fast, strong swimmers – usually 15 mph but can reach 30 mph, 350 feet below
surface.
10. Migrate north to tropical /temperate waters. Travel in pairs - sometimes larger
groups.
11. Likes shoreline; usually in water less than 10m deeps.
12. There were 3 populations of Gray Whales – East Pacific, West Pacific and
Atlanta (hunted to extinction 300 years ago).
13. Now, 22,000 whales in three groups: E Pacific (now focal point for whale
watchers), and W Pacific. In 1988, four gray whales entrapped by ice in
Alaska
14. Book by Mark Carwardine talks about kayaking with whales (On the Trail
of the Whale).
Write your answer on the table below.
TYPE OF WHALE CHARACTERISTICS
BLUE WHALE
GRAY WHALE
Activity 3
Re-write the important information related to the text above with your own
words (max. 350 words).