acquired trait: A phenotypic characteristic, acquired during growth and development, that is not genetically based and therefore cannot be passed on to the next generation (for example, the large muscles of a weightlifter).

While orcas are often associated with the Pacific, most s in captivity have been captured from Atlantic populations near Iceland.

The blue whale is the largest known to have ever lived. Blue whales are difficult to weigh because of their size. They were never weighed whole, but cut into blocks 0.5–0.6 meters (1.6–2.0 ft) across and weighed by parts.

Orcas, or killer whales, are a highly intelligent, social species that lives in pods and can cooperatively hunt for prey.

Factors affecting a whales weight and size. When it comes to a whales overall weight there are a number of factors that help determine how much a whale will weigh.

Parvorder Odontoceti, toothed whales Family Platanistidae. Ganges and Indus river dolphin, Platanista gangetica with two subspecies . Ganges river dolphin (or Susu), Platanista gangetica gangetica

So why exactly do orcas experience such profound frustration as a result of being captured? If – as Fred Jacobs, vice president of communications at SeaWorld claims – the whales’ imprisonment is necessary in order to ensure their conservation, and they do not suffer in any way as a result of their captive status, why do they consistently

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The Narwhal (meaning “corpse whale” in Old Norse) is a rarely seen Arctic whale. This social whale is known for the very long tooth that males have.

Wolves of the sea? Killer whales are more COW: Orcas found to have surprising relatives on land – while walruses are related to S. Scientists at the University of Copenhagen compared the genomes of killer whales, walruses and manatees with those of s, cows and elephants