General Whale Characteristics
Order of Cetaceans
Baleen Whales
Swimming Secrets
Blowholes
Calves
Whales are found in open seas throughout the world and occasionally in coastal waters, as well. Certain species migrate, while others remain year-round in the same habitats. The skin of whales is usually black, gray, black, tan and white, or all white. Their skin texture is smooth, but like other mammals, whales have hair at some point in their development. In adults it's usually found only in the head area, and in some species only in the fetus. Whales store energy in an underskin layer of fat, or blubber. The ability to store "fuel" in the form of blubber helps whales survive during long periods of starvation.
Except for having horizontal tails that move up and down, rather than side to
side, whales have the general shape of fish, though in certain species the
head is greatly enlarged. Over millions of years, hind limbs have vanished but shortened forelimbs remain. Whales breathe through lungs, with some large species remaining under water for as long as two hours.
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