Brief summary of the main groups:
Cetaceans (Cetacea) Whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Completely aquatic, lacking hind legs.
Examples: blue whale (largest animal ever), orca, common dolphin, harbor porpoise.
Manatees and Dugongs (Sirenia) Herbivorous, slow-moving marine mammals.
Live in shallow coastal waters and rivers.
Examples: Caribbean manatee, dugong (the "mermaid" of stories).
Seals and Sea Lions (Pinnipedia) Half-aquatic, half-land (for resting and giving birth).
Examples: harbor seal, gray seal, California sea lion, walrus.
Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) Smallest marine mammal.
Lives in cold coastal waters (especially the North Pacific).
Uses stones to open shells.
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are sometimes also considered marine mammals.
Live on sea ice and pack ice in the Arctic, hunt seals.
Characteristics of marine mammals: Breathe with lungs → must surface to breathe.
Thick layer of blubber for insulation and energy.
Streamlined body for swimming.
Most species migrate over long distances.
In the Netherlands, you mainly see: common seal, gray seal, and harbor porpoise (our only native cetacean).
No comments:
Post a Comment