Whales

echo location

A reflected sound wave. Whales and dolphins use this to locate where they are.

harpoon

A spear-like hunting tool with barbs that hook into the flesh of the animal being hunted.

extinct

A species dies out forever.

endangered

A species whose numbers are so small that the species is at risk of extinction

dolphins

A water mammal the feeds off fish.

mammals

Animals that are warm-blooded, and can produce milk.

sexual dimorphism

Differences in physical characteristics between males and females of the same species.

Sperm Whale

Largest toothed predator on Earth

Blackfish

Six species of dolphins have the word "whale" in their name, collectively known as ____________: the killer whale, the melon-headed whale, the pygmy killer whale, the false killer whale, and the two species of pilot whales, all of which are classified under the family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins).

krill

Small marine life (zooplankton) eaten by baleen whales

Dwarf Sperm Whale

Smallest whale at about 8.5 ft

whaler

a seaman who works on a ship that hunts whales

Sperm Whale

able to stay submerged for as much as 90 minutes.

Blowing or spouting

is the action of blowing water from their blowholes at the tops of their heads.

lobtail

lifting their fluke over the surface of the water and slapping the water

calf

name used for a baby whale

Balaenopteridae (the rorquals)

the largest group of baleen whales, a family with nine extant species in two genera. They include what is believed to be the largest animal that has ever lived, the blue whale.

blowhole

whale nostrils on top of his head

migrate

To move from one place to another, following the seasons

cetaceans

group of ocean mammals, including whales, porpoises, and dolphins

fluke

Broad, horizontal whale tail used to identify them - no two are alike

dorsal

Near the upper surface, towards the back

spyhop

Peeking there head vertically out of the water

whalesong

The noises whales make to communicate with other whales. Recordings made by scientists have proven they do this.

breach

When a whale is seen to completely jump out of the water. (usually sideways)