Whales

Whales or otherwise known as “cetaceans” are an amazing animal to see in our vast oceans. Once more widespread and distributed diversely throughout the seas, now their populations have dwindled to just a few in some extreme cases (Right Whale) and to a very limited population with other species (Humpback). Â But in all cases, the whale populations have significantly declined over the last Â two century’s. These marine mammals need our attention as globally the seas are polluted, over fished, ship collision occurrences Â and in some cases they are still hunted for “science”. Humpback whales are from the baleen suborder and I have encountered quite a few of these spectacular whales. Most of the larger whales come from this category Â which include the largest animal found on this Earth – the Blue Whale which can grow to 90 feet in length. Tooth whales are the other suborder which include Orca, Pilot, Sperm whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. The mythical legend of Â ‘Moby Dick’ was indeed a great story but does not paint the whales the way they should be which is to be respected. Whales exhibit human characteristics in that they frolic, use team behavior to hunt schools of fish, have family units, extensive communication through song and nurture their young. Amazing stories are told from people that have experienced close encounters with whales in the wild in that the common thread was that the whales ‘soul’ was strong. Experience them for yourselves.