Packing Guide When Going On A Cruise To Watch Whales

Of course watching whales with your family can be very exciting. That\’s why to make the most out of the experience, it\’s important to pack the right things. The following is a simple guide on what to put in your luggage for a whale-watching cruise.

Protect everyone from getting a nasty sunburn. Sun block lotion should be applied about 30 minutes before boarding the boat. But make sure you take it with you, as reapplication is necessary after a couple of hours. It\’s also important to take with you dark sunglasses and hats with wide brims.

It can get very cold out there in the ocean, especially if the whale-watching cruise is done during cold months. That\’s why you should also stash in your luggage extra layer of clothing for everyone. Sometimes too, blankets and gloves will come in handy. Also, it\’s a must to bring jackets – water-proof ones to keep you from getting wet during choppy days.

Of course never go out there without taking with you your trusted digital camera. Most especially, never go out there without fully charging the batteries first! Be familiar with as much features of your digital camera as you can. This is necessary if you wish to take snapshots with picture-perfect quality each time.

Everyone, most especially your kids, can get bored while the boat goes to where the whales are. To keep your kids\’ impatience at bay, bring some form of entertainment. Books, playing cards or other mini board games will do. Steer clear of taking their electronic gadgets with them, as they may get splashed with water by the waves.

Some cruises may have onboard snacks, while some may not. Regardless the case, bring your own snacks. Besides, packing your own ensures that your entire family will like it. But do bring something that\’s easy on the tummy, such as crackers, cookies, trail mix and the likes. And don\’t forget to bring drinking water for everyone.

When all the right things are in your luggage, watching whales can be more fun for everyone. Everything essential for you and your kids are within easy reach. So everyone can have time with these adorable mammals that\’s as memorable as possible.

For nearly 40 years Keiji Toshiyuki, who stays on the West Coast of America, has been watching whales and gathering facts about whales.

Amazing Facts About Wonderful Whales

There can be few things as breath-taking as watching a whale. These giants of the sea can weigh as much as 150 tons, while their length can be more than 100 feet. Their large bodies are able slide through the ocean at amazing speed. Whilst there are many types of whales, there are two categories, i. E. The Baleen whale or the Toothed Whale.

Whales are mammals therefore they are warm-blooded. They can live in the iciest of water thanks to large amounts of blubber that lie under their skin. They have lungs, not gills. Because of this, they need to come up to the surface of the water regularly to breathe in air. But they can stay submerged for a very long time.

Air is taken in through a blowhole which is situated on the top of the body. These mammals pose no threat to mankind, but they are considered as predators in the ocean. Their primary source of food is plankton (small animal and plant organisms that travel in large numbers). However, they will often eat larger fish.

Do you know that the largest creature in the world is the Blue Whale? This type belongs in the Baleen category. All whales are extremely intelligent and live together in clusters called pods. Like humans they form long-lasting relationships and a pod will stay together for as long as possible.

Adult females are called cows, while adult males are called bulls. During winter, these huge mammals migrate thousands of miles to warmer climates. The Orca (also known as the Killer Whale) can swim as fast as 50 km/hour.

These mammals breed slowly. It will take a cow a full year before giving birth to a calf. She will not breed again for another couple of years. A baby calf usually weights about 2 tons when it is born, and it will pick up weight at the rate of 200 pounds per day during its first year. Cows and calves build up a very close bond.

When you want to know more amazing facts about whales it’s easy! These beautiful creatures are graceful and splendid. They will fill you with amazement and wonder. And you can find out more about them when you visit our website today!

categories: Wildlife,Science,Biology,Flora and Fauna,Animalia,Zoology,Chordata,Mammalia,Cetacea,Endangered Animals,Animal Behavior

Whales In A Group Are Called Pods

On a yearly basis whales are known to migrate over long distances with reference to the Baleen which migrates in groups and a group is known as a pod. They migrate from their cold feeding grounds to warmer water where they breed.

These groups of mammals have an incredible bond with each other and the strongest being between mother and calf. The baleen has been known to travel alone or they can also travel in a small group and the toothed species travel in fairly large pods and this is because they hunt together and travel together. The group also ensure safety and care when it comes to their young.

The whale gives birth to live young unlike most fish which lay eggs. The females like land mammals have mammary glands from which the calves suckle. These creatures breed in warm waters which are seasonal and the females usually have a single calf every one to three years. The female carries her young for nine months and some carry for eighteen months this varies from species to species.

When the female has given birth the baby can swim almost instantly and the females look after their babies for a year and the babies will continuously feed off their mother’s milk. The females are extremely protective of their calves. The whale song which is a specialized communication system can spread for many kilometres under the sea.

For instance the humpback whale song can last for half an hour and the Baleen sings low frequency songs while the toothed mammals click and whistle which are also used for echolocation. These sounds are used for attracting mates as well as being territorial and the tooth species locate prey by clicking.

Whales have defence mechanisms whereby the toothed species use their teeth to kill their prey as well as protect themselves. Most of the toothed species hunt cooperatively by catching and killing large prey such as the orcas are capable of killing a young blue whale and humpbacks use a method known as bubble net feeding which allows them to catch large amounts of small fish during a feeding.

Peter van Diem has been watching whales for nearly five decades and is fascinated by the whales mating rituals.

categories: Wildlife,Science,Biology,Flora and Fauna,Animalia,Zoology,Chordata,Mammalia,Cetacea,Endangered Animals,Animal Behavior

The Whale As An Interesting And Diverse Species

A few interesting facts about the whale are needed whenever people begin to consider this endlessly fascinating and warm-blooded, ocean-dwelling mammal. Whales are extremely diverse and live in every ocean and sea in the world. Biologists and other scientists have studied them for many years and have found that they also exist within a complex structure of their own making.

Whales have evolved from a certain land mammal that lived in the Kashmir region of India well over 55 million years ago. What may come as a surprise to many people is that whales and hippopotamuses share this common ancestor, which decided to enter the sea and never return to land about 50 million years ago. The hippopotamus is the closest relative to whales still in existence.

Whales communicate with each other in a variety of ways, the most common probably being what is known as whale song. This particular “singing” has proven to be extremely diverse and complex in quality and characteristic. Whales use it in a variety of ways. Also, other than certain species of primates, whales — along with dolphins, humans and elephants — whales seem to be one of the few species that are self-aware.

The societal structure of whales is also complex. Existing in a group of whales known as a pod, males, females and calves arrange themselves in certain types of hierarchies that usually involve a pod being led by a single dominant bull — which is the term for a male of the species — cows (females) and calves (young whales). Non-dominant bulls live on the edges of the pod and may strike out on their own, eventually.

As far as size goes, certain species of whales are truly massive. In fact, one species of whale (the Blue) is the largest animal to have ever lived and is also the largest mammal currently in existence. It can easily weigh as much as 150 tons and be as much as 105 feet in length. Whales are divided into two sub orders; toothed whales and baleen whales, which filter seawater through their mouths to get their food.

Whales with teeth are considered predator species of whales. The most commonly known of these mammals is, of course, the Orca. It is sometimes also known as a killer whale, though this is unfair to it as a species. It is only fairly recently that whales have been somewhat protected, and many whale species are in danger of extinction because they have been so over-hunted.

Nick de Kock has been Watching the whale for nearly five decades and is fascinated by the way whales communicate with one another.

categories: Wildlife,Science,Biology,Flora and Fauna,Animalia,Zoology,Chordata,Mammalia,Cetacea,Endangered Animals,Animal Behavior