Henry Posted June 21, 2012 Report Posted June 21, 2012 Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth. These magnificent marine mammals rule the oceans at up to 100 feet (30 meters) long and upwards of 200 tons (181 metric tons). Their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant. Their hearts, as much as an automobile. Blue whales reach these mind-boggling dimensions on a diet composed nearly exclusively of tiny shrimplike animals called krill. During certain times of the year, a single adult blue whale consumes about 4 tons (3.6 metric tons) of krill a day. Blue whales are baleen whales, which means they have fringed plates of fingernail-like material, called baleen, attached to their upper jaws. The giant animals feed by first gulping an enormous mouthful of water, expanding the pleated skin on their throat and belly to take it in. Then the whale's massive tongue forces the water out through the thin, overlapping baleen plates. Thousands of krill are left behind
Administrators Nan Posted June 21, 2012 Administrators Report Posted June 21, 2012 Really intersting Henry, thanks
Administrators Koach Posted June 22, 2012 Administrators Report Posted June 22, 2012 Yes, it is interesting. It's hard to imagine a mammal that large leaping out of the water like the last picture you posted.
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