Emma's Earth Explorations

  The Humpback's scientific name, Megaptera, means "big-winged", a reference to the Humpback's long angel-like pectoral fins.  The Humpback Whale :   Delphinapterus leucas Description :  Humpback Whales can be distinguished from other whales by the humped shape of their backs and the long pectoral fins that can measure up to 15 ft long! Typically colored solid black, the Humpback Whale has a white underside and white pectoral fins. Another defining characteristic is the pleats alongside the Humpback's throat. Although Humpbacks are significantly larger than Belugas and Narwhals, they're only half the size of the largest whale in existence, around 50 feet long.  Habitat :  Found in oceans all over the world, the Humpback Whale typically spends time in the Northern and Southern pole regions during the summer where it spends several months feeding and hunting. In the winter months, the Humpback migrates to subtropical and tropical latitudes closer to the equat...

  Yeah, the Bowhead Whale needs some time to get used to looking at. Yeah, that curved line is  actually its mouth. And yeah, its mouth does take up two-thirds of its head.  The Bowhead Whale : Balaena mysticetus Description : Bowhead whales have extremely large mouths and wide jaws that allow them to swallow an incredible amount of prey in one gulp. They actually have the largest mouth of nay animal! A distinctive white patch on their jaws stands out against their all-black bodies, and unlike many other whales, dolphins, and porpoises, Bowheads don't have a dorsal fin. However, they do have two small pectoral fins. Reaching lengths of up to 66 feet long, the Bowhead's skull and jaws make up about 30-40% of its entire body, which is covered in up to 20 inches of blubber, the thickest layer of blubber of any whale.  In addition, at full maturity, the Bowhead Whale weighs about 100 tons.  Habitat :  Although Bowheads do migrate to Canadian regions during the ...

It's official. Unicorns exist. The Narwhal : Monodon monoceros Characteristics :   Around 18 feet in length and 3000 pounds in weight; the Narwhal's size is similar to a  Beluga's . With a long tusk protruding from the front of its head, two flippers, and black spots over white skin, the Narwhal is one of the world's most recognizable whales.                   Habitat :  Scattered through the Arctic Ocean and adjacent Northern Atlantic Ocean, Narwhals participate in seasonal migrations, moving from deep icy water in winter to shallow coastal waters in the summer.      Diet :  The Narwhal is a carnivore, and its diet is so specific that it can't survive in captivity. Cod, halibut, and redfish make up the majority of the Narwhal's diet while other marine creatures like shrimp and squid provide supplemental prey. Conservation : Near Threatened Why the Narwhal?  Why not the Beluga ?...

  The Beluga Whale's plump head makes it look cheerfully smiley all the time. I think this animal exudes cheer and playfulness. Even the name 'Beluga' sounds fun.  The Beluga Whale :   Delphinapterus leucas Description :  Beluga Whales are characterized by their white skin and unique rounded head shape. Calves are born with dark gray skin which lightens as they age; the maturity of a Beluga Whale can be determined when it's completely white. Unlike most whales, the Beluga Whale doesn't have a dorsal fin as indicated by the genus name. Instead, it has a dorsal ridge which allows it to maneuver and swim under the Arctic's sheets of ice. Beluga Whales can reach lengths of up to 18 feet and weigh up to 3500 pounds; it's one of the smallest whale species in the world.  Habitat :  Beluga Whale distribution ranges from the Arctic to the Subarctic. They live in the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding seas, including the Bering Sea, Hudson Bay, and Sea of Okh...