Bowhead Whale - a mammal belonging to the order Cetacea, family of baleen whales.In Latin it is called Balaena mysticetus. was a time when the population of these animals lived in the oceans all the northern hemisphere.However, today they are found only in the Bering and Okhotsk seas, near the archipelago of Svalbard, the Davis Strait and Hudson Bay.Scientists estimate that the total number of these mammals is less than 10 000 individuals.
Bowhead Whale in size second only blyuvalu.Its length can exceed 20 m, of which accounts for a third of the head.The weight can be up to 130 tons.Interestingly, females are larger than males.Color predominantly dark, just under the lower jaw there is a large white spot.
specific structure of the oral cavity associated with the image of power.On the curved jaws are numerous plates (up to 400 pcs.) In height more than 4 meters and a width of less than 0.3 m, called whale mustache.Bowhead whale feeds on plankton and small fish.By producing food, it floats with an open mouth.All that has got into the mouth, delayed on the plates scraped tongue and swallowed.Mass daily food intake is estimated at 1.8 tons.
Its pectoral fins are shortened, extended and rounded.The skin is smooth, the bowhead whale.Photos presented in this article demonstrate the absence of horny growths and attach crustaceans.Subcutaneous fat in the adult of about 70 cm. It is very important, ie. A. Neutralize excessive water pressure when submerged and protects from hypothermia.Their body temperature normally is the same as in humans (they mammals).The eyes are small with thicker cornea.From salt water to protect their special glands that produce oil-based fluid.Vision in the water no matter on the surface better.
Bowhead Whale is able to dive to a depth of 0.2 km and a float after 40 minutes.The time spent under water, depending on the supply of air to the lungs.His nostrils are located on top, they are opened only at the time of breaths, the muscles of the nasal canal prevent water from entering the lungs.Exhale kit starts at the surface, the result is a fountain, the height of which may exceed 10 m. The need to breathe the air forces of these mammals punching ice thickness of 25 cm.
pinna not, but the rumor is very well developed.The inner ear perceives and sound and ultrasonic vibrations.It emits a wide range.Bowhead whales have sonar, which allows navigate the ocean thicker.The time between the produced sound and the return of the animal indicates the distance to a certain object in the path.
Sometimes polar whale (also referred to as the giant) jumps out of the water, flapping their fins and the body is immersed into one of the sides.These rides take place in the period of migration and breeding season.
Reproduction been insufficiently studied, although it is known that pregnancy lasts about 13 months.A baby born 4-meter.During the year, it feeds on mother's milk.Whales become sexually mature at 20 years.They live an average of 40 years.
