Beluga Whale Research Paper

The origin of modern day whales, a mystery that has puzzled paleontologists for years, may have just been solved with the discovery of an ankle bone. This discovery might sound simple and unimportant, but the bones of these ancient animals hold many unanswered questions and provide solid proof of origin and behavior. The relationship between whales and other animals has proven to be difficult because whales are warm-blooded, like humans, yet they live in the sea. The fact that they are warm-blooded suggests that they are related to some type of land animal. However, the questions of exactly which animal, and how whales evolved from land to water, have remained unanswered until now.

Killer whales are one of the most fascinating displays of ocean life. The killer whale has characteristics that are important to its survival in the ocean. It is interesting to know that killer whales have a plentiful diet. It is astounding to see how killer whales behave in the ocean. I plan to tell you about the killer whale, its characteristics, its diet, and its behavior in the ocean as well as the predation of the orca.

Killer Whales are Large and intelligent animals that are kept in captivity. SeaWorld in San Diego has 23 killer whales in captivity. Marine biologist including SeaWorld critics agree that the whales probably will never be released to the open seas. How would you feel if you were separated from your family and never see them again? This is how the whales that are kept in captivity feel. Although some people think whales should be kept in captivity I disagree because this makes the whales unhealthy since they are living in a pool instead of the ocean.

Oxygen depletion will create stress which can take years to recover. These HABs can also suppress mammalian immune functions which results in mass mortalities of dolphins and manatees. This can be seen by a significant reduction in manatee lymphocytes in cell culture that are exposed to these toxins. With all of this evidence of the negative impacts of these toxins, it shows the need to recognize these biotoxins as significant stressors within south-west Florida coastal ecosystems.

What can have 48-52 teeth or no teeth at all? It is the gorgeous creature we call the whale? From Belugas, to Humpbacks, to Killer Whales, there is much to learn about these lovely gentle giants. Did you know that Beluga whales are the smallest species of whale? Belugas can reach weights of 3,000 pounds, adults are reported to be 14 feet long.

The article details the effects of the toxins on California sea lions, based on a study consisting of scanning 30 of the sea lions’ brains. The scan picked up damage to the hippocampus, which is a part of the brain mainly associated with navigation and the formation of memories. Due to the damage, the hippocampus and the thalamus (the part of the brain associated with motor skills and sensory cues) cannot fully communicate with one another, which makes it harder for the sea lions to find food and escape from predators.

The earliest whales were land animals with long skulls and carnivorous teeth. Analysis of whale skulls showed major morphological changes, including changes to the skull size, shape, teeth, and nostrils. Fossil evidence shows that the trait of interest, the nostrils, can be found on fossils of the earliest whales, dating back to about 50 million years ago. Evolution occurred multiple times since then, each time resulting in the nostrils migrating further back on the skull. Eventually, the pair of nostrils positioned itself right on top of the head. These nostrils are the blowholes we see positioned on top of modern whales today. In addition, another momentous change in the nostrils occur when order Cetacea splits into Mysticetes and Odontocetes. Suborder Mysticetes

Around the world, killer whale populations may be hurt by the effects of pollution mainly caused by toxins. Various chemicals, such as flame retardants, industrial pollutants, oils, and pesticides they have all been known to enter the oceans through waterways and they are all having a major impact on the killer whales. For now, It's safe for the killer whales because they want them to be well and keep them for long as possible.

Baleen whales are known as a whalebone. They also live in the Southern Hemisphere. The meaning of “Baleen” is made out of keratin, the same protein that makes up our fingernails and hair. They make up one of two whale suborders within the cetacean family.

Since this is my fist toxicology course, I found it interesting to learn the variety of pathways that toxicants access to enter the human body and aquatic organisms. Even more so, the way our cells respond to the intake of such toxicants. In addition, learning the way aquatic organisms are impacted by toxicants in stream and stream sediments. Furthermore, I can use this knowledge in a career and also for my own curiosity to investigate my surroundings or spread awareness.

The Killer whale was put on the IUCN list in 1989, in 1969 Keanu Allen (a trainer) describes being threatened by young female Keanu, she would open her mouth and show him her teeth, 3 deaths had happened between human and killer, and 1 known fact between woman and killer is that a killer whale had killed its own trainer at SeaWorld's Shamu Stadium in Orlando,

Bioindicators of cold stress syndrome in manatees include advanced emaciation and depletion of fat stores, changes in skin texture, skin lesions, black colored feces, constipation, and dehydration (Bossart et al. 2002). The manatees in this study that stranded during winter in the northern GOM had these same symptoms (Table 4). Manatees with CSS may have other symptoms that are similar to symptoms of phycotoxin exposure, including comprised and suppressed immune system, organ inflammation, and congestion (Bossart et al., 1998, 2002). Necropsy reports revealed four animals had congested tissues consistent with PbTX exposure (Table 4), however, not all of these animals tested positive for PbTX, and congestion may be contributed to cold stress, or secondary infection following cold stress or toxin exposure. Other animals I sampled, which died during summer months, the cause of death was attributed to watercraft and stillbirth. None of these animals had evident gross symptoms unique to phycotoxin exposure. Overlapping symptoms and likelihood of lower level exposure to phycotoxin make it impossible to determine if any of the animals sampled for this study experienced biologically or physiologically meaningful symptoms from exposure to

Most everyone thinks sharks eat just about everything but that is just not the case. Most sharks eat smaller fish. Larger sharks prey on seals, sea lions, squid, octopus, and rays. Sharks do not usually hunt humans. When they attack a person it is usually just a mistaken identity. Or they feel threatened in some way. They will usually let go of the person after the first bite.

1) In 2009, a captive beluga whale rescued a diver during a free-diving competition. 2. Belugas are gregarious and live in social groups of 2-25 individuals (the average group size is ten). 3. Belugas are unique among cetaceans in that the vertebrae in their necks are not fused together. This gives their heads added manueverability.

Since the blue whale is the biggest animal alive it is very important! I choose the blue whale as my animal to research because I find it very cool and I hope it stays around for future generations to see. Since it is the biggest animal alive I think it important for future generations to be able to study and observe it.