- All whales have two "pectoral" flippers. They use them for
stopping and turning.
- All whales have tail flukes. (Each side of the tail is called a "fluke.")
- Tails vary in size and shape depending on the kind of whale and individual.
- With certain species, scientists identify individual animals just
by the color pattern, shape and scarring of the tail (and dorsal fin).
- Some whales have a dorsal fin. Some do not.
- Fins vary in size and shape depending on the kind of whale and individual.
- Scientists identify some individual animals just by the color pattern,
shape and scarring of their dorsal fin.
- Whales breathe air. A whale's nose is on top of its head. It is called
a blowhole.
- The largest is the blue whale, which can reach lengths up to 90 feet
long.
- One of the smallest species is the Commerson's dolphin which reaches
lengths up to 3 to 4 feet.
- Some whales travel in small groups with other whales of the same
species, others do not.
- Today, in some rare cases whales are hunted for meat. In general,
this is mostly done by local or "native" peoples that rely
on whale meat to survive
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