10 Unbelievable Facts About Whales That Will Blow Your Mind

by Pablo Koch-Schick July 21, 2022

Whales are some of the biggest and most mysterious animals on Earth. There's still a lot we don't know about them. Keep reading to find out some cool and surprising facts about whales.

In this blog post, we’ll share 10 amazing whale facts that will amaze you!

Did you know that...#10: Whales have multiple stomachs

One of the most surprising whale facts is that some whale species have multiple stomachs. Baird's whale - the largest member of the beaked whale family - can have up to 13 stomachs! While this may seem overkill, it is a highly efficient way to digest the squid these whales feed on. Deep-sea squid is tough and gnarly, so it takes a lot of stomachs to break them down.

However, all that stomach matter does come in handy when it comes time to give birth. Female sperm whales often use their extra stomachs as a birthing chamber for their calves. So, while multiple stomachs may seem strange to us, they are another example of how adaptable and amazing whales truly are.

#9: Whales’ tails are like our fingerprints – no two are the same

Here is a fun fact! Just like human fingerprints, each whale has a tail that's unique to them. And this is how scientists can identify them. In the same way that the patterns and grooves on our emails are unique, so are the undersides of a whale's tail.

Their slits, grooves, and brown algae spots are distinguishing characteristics gained over time and can't be replicated by another whale. The uniqueness of a whale's tail allows researchers to track its movements and study its behavior patterns. Scientists have been able to identify individual whales by their tails alone.

This identification method is important for conservation efforts as it helps researchers track the populations of different whale species and understand how they interact with their environment. The next time you see a whale breaching the surface, take a closer look at its tail – you may just be looking at a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Another way to identify whales is with their flukes.

#8: Humpback whales don't eat for most of the year

Humpback whales are one of the most well-known whales, thanks to their impressive size and acrobatic displays. What is less well-known, however, is that these whales do not eat for most of the year.

Humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere keep their fat reserves liquid for 5.5-7.5 months each year while they migrate from their tropical breeding grounds to the Antarctic, where they feed on krill. This amazing feat of survival is made possible by the fact that humpback whales are extremely efficient at metabolizing fat. During their long periods without food, they can maintain their body temperature and continue to grow and reproduce.

When you look at a humpback whale the next time, consider how incredible it is that this magnificent creature can go for months without eating.

Also, if you've wonder: Are humpback whales friendly? Humpback whales are, by nature, primarily gentle and non-aggressive creatures that show very little inclination to do any harm to a human. In fact, humpback whales are known for their placid behavior and friendly attitude toward other species, including humans.

Here's a crazy whale fact about these species: Male humpback whale songs are renowned for their haunting compisition, made up of moans, howls, and cries that often stretch on for hours. Scientists believe these melodic vocalizations are intended to help the whales attract potential mates. Male humpback whales sing the same song multiple times during the course of hours.

#7: Killer whales are actually dolphins

Interesting, fun facts don't come bigger than the biggest predator in the ocean! Orcas, also known as "killer whales," are the largest members of the dolphin family. They prey on a diverse range of marine species, including many fish species, penguins, seabirds, sea turtles, cephalopods, and marine mammals such as seals and even whales. Orcas have a striking appearance, with their black and white coloration and large size.

They are also highly intelligent and have complex social structures. However, orcas are perhaps best known for their hunting behaviors. Using their powerful tails and large teeth, they work together to capture and kill their prey. Though they are revered by many humans, orcas are one of the few dolphin species that will attack and kill people. As a result, they have sometimes been referred to as "the wolves of the sea."

#6: Whales can last for up to 20 minutes without breathing

Whales are one of the few animals that can hold their breath for extremely long periods of time. While the average mammal can only hold its breath for a few minutes, whales can stay underwater for 20 minutes or more.

This is possible due to the high levels of hemoglobin and myoglobin in their bodies. These proteins store oxygen in their blood and muscles, allowing whales to reduce their heart rate and temporarily shut down some organs. As a result, they use oxygen much more slowly than other animals, allowing them to stay underwater for extended periods of time.

This adaptation is critical for whales as it allows them to dive deep into the ocean in search of food or avoid predators.

#5: Sperm whales have the biggest brains of any animal on Earth

Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales and have the biggest brains of any animal on Earth. They are easily recognizable by their large, uniquely shaped heads, which hold a substance called spermaceti. This substance is responsible for producing the largest brain on the planet.

The extent of the sperm whale's intelligence remains partially a mystery due to our lack of understanding of these animals. This is because they are very elusive, and their surface behaviors are hard to study. However, we know that they are highly intelligent creatures with a lot of potential. Adult male sperm whales can be up to 20ft longer with proportionately larger heads than females thus the adult sperm whale's head and brain could be much larger!

#4: Whale vomit is found in many costly perfumes

Whale poop might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of luxurious perfumes. Still, it turns out that many expensive fragrances contain ambergris, a substance found in the digestive tract of sperm whales. Also known as "whale vomit," ambergris has a musky, earthy scent prized by perfume makers. Although it may not sound appealing, ambergris can sell for up to $20 a gram, making it a valuable ingredient.

Perfume makers have used ambergris for centuries to create luxurious and expensive fragrances. In fact, some of the most costly perfumes on the market contain high concentrations of ambergris. For example, one bottle of Creed's Royal Water perfume sold recently for over $11,000 at auction!

Next time you're spritzing your favorite perfume, remember that it might contain a whiff of whale poop.

#3: The ocean is part whale pee

Anyone who has ever stepped in a puddle of whale urine can attest that the ocean is full of stuff. In fact, it is estimated that whales produce about 1.4 million metric tons of urine each year. While this might seem like a lot, it only accounts for about 0.1% of the total amount of water in the ocean.

Nevertheless, whale urine plays an important role in the marine ecosystem. It contains nutrients that help support phytoplankton growth, providing food for other marine life. In addition, whale urine helps regulate the ocean's pH levels and provides a valuable nitrogen source for marine plants.

#2: Whales are divided into two mains groups

There are two main types of whales: the baleen whales and the toothed whales.

The Baleen Whales

The baleen whales, including humpback, blue and other whales, have fibrous 'baleen' plates in their mouths instead of teeth. These plates help them filter out and consume huge quantities of krill, plankton, and crustaceans.

The Toothed Whales

In contrast, toothed whales such as orcas, beluga whales, and sperm whales have teeth that enable them to feed on larger prey like fish and squid.

All dolphin families, including porpoises, are also classified as whales due to their closer relationship to their toothed relatives. Each type of whale has its own unique set of characteristics and behaviors that make them well-suited to its respective environments, for example:

Baleen whales are typically larger than toothed whales and have long pleated throats that allow them to gulp large amounts of water while feeding.
On the other hand, toothed whales tend to be more agile and have better eyesight than baleen whales, which helps them hunt for smaller prey.

#1: Blue whales are the largest animals to have ever lived on Earth

Blue whales weigh over 150 tons and extend to lengths over 100 feet in some parts of the world. The largest blue whale ever recorded was 110 feet in length. The heaviest blue whale ever recorded was a female who weighed 418,878 pounds. That is the same weight as 30 elephants or 2,500 people.

Blue whales are so big that their tongues weigh more than an elephant. Their hearts are the size of a car, and their aorta is big enough for a small child to crawl through. Despite their size, blue whales can swim up to speeds of 30 miles per hour. They are also very long-lived animals, with a lifespan of up to 100 years. Blue whales are found in all oceans of the world, and they migrate annually to feeding and breeding grounds.

They feed primarily on krill but also eat other small marine creatures. Blue whales are an endangered species due to hunting and shipping collisions, but their numbers are slowly rebounding.

In Conclusion

Though they are now mostly confined to the ocean's depths, whales once roamed the Earth alongside dinosaurs. These massive creatures can weigh up to 200 tons and measure over 100 feet in length, making them the largest animals on the planet. If you've ever wondered where do whales live, whales live in all oceans around the world. Generally, whales migrate to areas with plentiful food sources such as shallow coastal waters or upwelling regions. They have also been seen in some inland rivers and lakes.

Whales are highly intelligent creatures with complex social structures and have been known to use tools and cooperate in hunting. Sadly, whale populations as well as sharks populations have declined for many years due to commercial whaling and other human activities.

However, through continued research and conservation efforts, we can help protect these amazing animals and ensure they will be around for generations.