Baleen -Whale Anatomy - EnchantedLearning.com

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Zoom Whales
WHALE ANATOMY AND BEHAVIOR

General Anatomy

Size

Pods

The Senses

Baleen

Reproduction

Diet

Flukes

Sleep

Offense/
Defense

Blowhole

Baleen
Baleen is a sieve-like device that Mysticeti (baleen whales) use to obtain nourishment (krill, plankton, and other small organisms). Baleen is a series of stiff, flexible material that hang from the upper jaw. The inside of the baleen is edged with hairy plates that filter krill. Baleen is made of keratin (the same substance our fingernails and hair are made of). Baleen grows throughout a whale's life. The ends of a whales baleen are always wearing out.

Baleen is also called whalebone and used to be used as a plastic-like material.

WHALE	NUMBER OF BALEEN PLATES	SIZE OF BALEEN	COLOR OF BALEEN
Blue whale	320 pairs	39 inches long (1 m), 21 inches wide (53 cm), and weigh 200 pounds (90 kg)	black baleen plates with dark gray bristles
Bowhead whale	350 pairs	175.5 inches (4.5 m) long and 14 inches (36 cm) wide - very fine textured	silver-colored
Gray whale	160 pairs	15 inches long and 10 inches wide- very thick	gray with yellowish bristles
Humpback whale	330 pairs	25 inches (0.6 m) long and 13.5 inches (34 cm) wide	dark gray baleen plates with coarse gray bristles hanging
Minke whale	300 pairs	less than 12 inches (30 cm) long and 5 inches (13 cm) wide - fine textured	creamy-white with pure white bristles
Right whales	200-270 pairs	up to 9.5 feet (3 m) long	gray-black to white bristles

Zoom Whales
WHALE ANATOMY AND BEHAVIOR

General Anatomy

Size

Pods

The Senses

Baleen

Reproduction

Diet

Flukes

Sleep

Offense/
Defense

Blowhole

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