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A Closer Look at Marine Mammals |
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Marine mammals have always fascinated humans. From the enormity
of the great whales to the intelligence of dolphins, marine
mammals are a mystery to many of us. Take a look at their lives
and gain insight into their extraordinary and complex
existences.
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Dolphins and Other Small Cetaceans
Learn more about small cetaceans such as dolphins, porpoises, orcas, beaked whales, beluga whales, and narwhals. more |
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Dugongs
The herbivorous, mermaid-like dugong (or sea cow) is endangered in much of its Indo-Pacific habitat. more |
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Great Whales
They're all called "great whales," but they come in all sizes, from the 30-foot minke whale to the 100-foot blue whale, the largest animal ever. more |
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Manatees
Manatees are large, aquatic mammals that feed on sea grasses and other vegetation in shallow waters. They are in danger of disappearing. more |
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Orcas
Learn about the social structures, the eating habits, and the life spans of killer whales, also known as orcas. more |
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Polar Bears
Polar bears are increasingly threatened by climate change, development, hunting, and pollution. Fortunately, measures to protect this vulnerable species are being explored. more |
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Right Whales
The right whale is actually two subspecies, the North Atlantic and southern right whales. These whales were nearly hunted into extinction by whalers. more |
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Sea Lions and Fur Seals
The "seals" you see performing at circuses and aquaria are actually sea lions. Unlike true seals, sea lions and fur seals can walk using their front flippers, which makes them very adept at moving on land. more |
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Sea Otters
Get a glimpse into the life of the sea otter, the smallest of all marine mammals who help to maintain coastal ecosystems. more |
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Seals
True seals (a group that doesn't include the fur seal) belong to the family Phocidae. more |
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Urban Marine Mammals
Because of heavy development along coastlines, some marine mammals spend their lives in the middle of intense human activity. Some animals are at risk because of it. more |
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