Why are whales considered mammals? Detailed answer

BIG ENCYCLOPEDIA FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Free library / Directory / Big encyclopedia for children and adults

Why are whales considered mammals? Detailed answer

Big encyclopedia for children and adults

Directory / Big encyclopedia. Questions for quiz and self-education

Did you know?

Why are whales considered mammals?

If a whale lives in the water and is similar in shape to a fish, then why is it not considered a fish? But because a whale is a marine mammal that comes from earthly ancestors. For many millennia spent in the water, the whales began to resemble fish in shape, but in the structure of the body and way of life they remained similar to land animals.

For example, whale fins have an internal structure that resembles a hand with five fingers. On the body of some whales there are even bones in place of the hind legs! But the most important difference between whales and fish is that, like all other mammals, whales feed their young with mother's milk. These cubs do not hatch from eggs or caviar, but are born alive. And for some time after birth, the kitten remains next to its mother, who takes care of it.

Since all mammals are warm-blooded, and the whale does not have fur to keep it warm in icy water, instead it has blubber, which is a layer of subcutaneous tissue filled with fat and retains heat like a fur coat. And whales breathe differently than fish. Instead of gills, they have lungs into which they take in air through two nostrils located at the top of their heads.

When whales dive underwater, these nostrils close with small flaps to keep water out. Every five to ten minutes the whale rises to the surface of the water to take a breath. First of all, it noisily spews out exhaust air through the nostrils. As a result of this, the same "fountain" appears, which is always drawn in pictures about whales. Then he draws fresh air into his lungs and dives again to continue moving under water.

Author: Likum A.

Random interesting fact from the Great Encyclopedia:

Who inspired his future savior to work in the special services?

Jerry Parr became interested in a career in the US Secret Service as a boy after the release of the movie Code of Intelligence starring Ronald Reagan. It was Parr, as a member of the Secret Service, who saved President Reagan's life during the 1981 assassination attempt by quickly shoving him into a limousine after the shooting started and ordering the driver to go to the hospital.

Test your knowledge! Did you know...

▪ Which planet in the solar system has the greatest contrast between night and day temperatures?

▪ Why did the dodos disappear?

▪ What were education and culture like in the early Middle Ages?

See other articles Section Big encyclopedia. Questions for quiz and self-education.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Machine for thinning flowers in gardens 02.05.2024

In modern agriculture, technological progress is developing aimed at increasing the efficiency of plant care processes. The innovative Florix flower thinning machine was presented in Italy, designed to optimize the harvesting stage. This tool is equipped with mobile arms, allowing it to be easily adapted to the needs of the garden. The operator can adjust the speed of the thin wires by controlling them from the tractor cab using a joystick. This approach significantly increases the efficiency of the flower thinning process, providing the possibility of individual adjustment to the specific conditions of the garden, as well as the variety and type of fruit grown in it. After testing the Florix machine for two years on various types of fruit, the results were very encouraging. Farmers such as Filiberto Montanari, who has used a Florix machine for several years, have reported a significant reduction in the time and labor required to thin flowers. ... >>

Advanced Infrared Microscope 02.05.2024

Microscopes play an important role in scientific research, allowing scientists to delve into structures and processes invisible to the eye. However, various microscopy methods have their limitations, and among them was the limitation of resolution when using the infrared range. But the latest achievements of Japanese researchers from the University of Tokyo open up new prospects for studying the microworld. Scientists from the University of Tokyo have unveiled a new microscope that will revolutionize the capabilities of infrared microscopy. This advanced instrument allows you to see the internal structures of living bacteria with amazing clarity on the nanometer scale. Typically, mid-infrared microscopes are limited by low resolution, but the latest development from Japanese researchers overcomes these limitations. According to scientists, the developed microscope allows creating images with a resolution of up to 120 nanometers, which is 30 times higher than the resolution of traditional microscopes. ... >>

Air trap for insects 01.05.2024

Agriculture is one of the key sectors of the economy, and pest control is an integral part of this process. A team of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI), Shimla, has come up with an innovative solution to this problem - a wind-powered insect air trap. This device addresses the shortcomings of traditional pest control methods by providing real-time insect population data. The trap is powered entirely by wind energy, making it an environmentally friendly solution that requires no power. Its unique design allows monitoring of both harmful and beneficial insects, providing a complete overview of the population in any agricultural area. “By assessing target pests at the right time, we can take necessary measures to control both pests and diseases,” says Kapil ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Solar energy will recharge the mobile phone 15.02.2001

The American company Sun Power Systems produces solar batteries for cell phones.

To charge a "dead" phone, you just need to turn the device upside down and put it in a place lit by the sun. After approximately 5 hours of exposure to direct sunlight, the battery reaches 90% charge. The batteries are also equipped with an LED charge indicator.

Undoubtedly, this type of accessories can be very popular in sunny countries, however, such batteries can be charged under artificial lighting, however, with a longer battery charge time.

Other interesting news:

▪ A serious disadvantage of geothermal energy

▪ Heart attack awaits on the road

▪ Eye drops for blindness

▪ Dual GPU Nvidia Tesla K80

▪ Comet dust in Antarctica

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site Voltage stabilizers. Article selection

▪ article by Oscar Wilde. Famous aphorisms

▪ article Which invention of the 20th century do the Japanese consider the most important? Detailed answer

▪ article The operator of the machine for the production of semi-finished products. Standard instruction on labor protection

▪ article Microwave divider for frequency meter. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article TV transmitter on your own. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews