How Do Whales Reproduce? A Detailed Explanation of Whale Reproduction Methods
Whales and ordinary fish are very different. Ordinary fish are oviparous, but whales are not, so how do whales reproduce?
1. How do whales reproduce?
Whales reproduce through viviparity. The whale reproductive cycle is 2-3 years, and the gestation period is 11 and a half months. They mostly give birth in winter, one calf per birth, and the newborn whale calf is about 5 m long. The nursing period is 6-7 months, and the lifespan is about 50 years.
2. Characteristics of whales
The common characteristics of cetaceans are a constant body temperature, around 34°C-36.5°C. The skin is bare, the body hair is reduced, with only a few bristles on the snout, and there are no sweat glands or sebaceous glands. The fat under the skin is very thick, which can maintain body temperature and reduce the body's specific gravity in water. The skull is well developed, but the braincase is small and the facial region is large; the frontal bone and maxilla are significantly elongated, forming a very long snout. The neck is not obvious, the cervical vertebrae show fusion, and the head is directly connected to the trunk. Their eyes are all very small, with no lacrimal glands or nictitating membrane, and their eyesight is poor. There is no outer ear shell, and the external auditory canal is also very narrow, but their hearing is very sensitive, and they can perceive ultrasound, relying on echolocation to find food, contact companions, or avoid enemies.
3. Types of whales
There are many types of whales, roughly divided into two major categories: toothed whales and baleen whales. Under the skin of whales there is an extremely thick fat layer, commonly known as whale oil, which can keep the whale's body warm and also store energy for times of need. Because whales have many special structures in their bodies, they can hold their breath underwater for a long time and slow their heart rate, so when they sink to the seabed, a long period of time always passes before they float back to the surface. In addition to structures for storing oxygen, when a certain part of the body needs a large supply of blood, there is also a special centralized supply function in the body.
Whales are mammals in the ocean and are also protected animals. Generally, they can only be seen on television or in aquariums.