A Blue Whale's Tongue Weighs More Than An ELEPHANT! | Wild Bites | BBC Earth Kids

Summary

This video script explores the marvels of the blue whale, the largest animal ever to have lived, weighing up to 130 tons and reaching 30 meters in length. Despite their massive size, whales are warm-blooded mammals, not fish, with a fascinating evolutionary history from land to sea. The script delves into the two types of whales—those with baleen for filtering krill and toothed whales, including the intelligent sperm whale with the largest brain in the animal kingdom. It also touches on the threats whales have faced from hunting and the hope for their recovery due to hunting bans.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The blue whale is the largest animal ever to have lived, even larger than the largest dinosaurs.
• 🐋 Blue whales can weigh up to 130 tons and measure 30 meters in length, with a heart the size of a small car.
• 🔍 Whales are mammals, not fish, characterized by being warm-blooded, breathing air, and nursing their young with milk.
• 🦴 Whales evolved from land-dwelling ancestors, as evidenced by remnants of hip bones in their skeletons.
• 🌐 There are over 80 species of whales, varying in shape and size, adapted to life in the water.
• 🦷 Baleen whales have baleen plates for filtering food like krill from the water, while toothed whales have teeth for eating fish and squid.
• 🍤 Baleen whales consume approximately 40 million krill a day, which is equivalent to the weight of about five cows.
• 🦈 Toothed whales include the sperm whale, beluga, narwhal, and dolphins, with some, like orcas, known to hunt other marine mammals.
• 🏖️ Some killer whales have been observed beaching themselves to catch seals in the shallows.
• 🎺 Whales hold various records, such as the kuvia's beaked whale for longest breath-holding and the bowhead whale for the longest lifespan.
• 🧠 The sperm whale has the largest brain in the animal kingdom, suggesting high intelligence among whales.
• 🚫 Despite past heavy hunting, a global ban in the 1960s and recent conservation efforts have led to an increase in some whale populations.

Q & A

What is the largest animal that ever lived, according to the video?

The largest animal that ever lived is the blue whale, which is bigger than even the most ginormous dinosaurs.

How much does a blue whale weigh and what is its approximate length?

A blue whale weighs around 130 tons and measures approximately 30 meters in length.

What is the size of a blue whale's heart and how often does it beat?

A blue whale's heart is the size of a small car and it beats once every 10 seconds.

How are whales related to humans, and what do they share in common?

Whales are mammals, just like humans, which means they are warm-blooded, breathe air, and baby whales need their mother's milk to survive.

What evolutionary evidence suggests that whales once lived on land?

The presence of tiny hip bones in whales, even though they don't have legs, suggests that their ancestors used to live on land.

What are the two major types of whales and how can you tell them apart?

The two major types of whales are toothed whales and baleen whales, which can be distinguished by looking inside their mouths for teeth or baleen plates.

What is the diet of baleen whales and how much krill do they consume daily?

Baleen whales feed on tiny shrimp-like animals called krill, consuming around 40 million krill a day, which is equivalent in weight to about five cows.

Which family of whales includes the sperm whale, beluga whale, narwhal, and dolphins?

The toothed whales family includes the sperm whale, beluga whale, narwhal, and dolphins.

What is unique about the narwhal among toothed whales?

The narwhal is unique among toothed whales for its large unicorn-like tusk.

What is the longest time a kuvia's beaked whale can hold its breath and why is it significant?

The kuvia's beaked whale can hold its breath for over two hours, which is the longest of any mammal and is significant for its deep diving capabilities.

What is the average lifespan of a bowhead whale and why is it notable?

The bowhead whale has an average lifespan of 268 years, making it the oldest living mammal and notable for having been born before significant historical events like the invention of the steam train and the founding of the United States.

What are some of the records that whales hold in terms of size and other characteristics?

Whales hold records for the loudest calls of any creature on the planet, the longest breath-holding time, the oldest living mammal, and the largest brain in the animal kingdom with the sperm whale.

What measures have been taken to protect whales from extinction?

A global hunting ban was implemented in the 1960s, and in recent years, the number of blue and humpback whales has started to increase, offering hope for their continued presence in the wild.