Question 1

What is a whale?

Accepted Answer

A whale is a very large animal that lives in the ocean. It looks like a giant fish, but whales are actually mammals, just like humans.

Question 2

How do whales breathe?

Accepted Answer

Whales breathe air through a blowhole on top of their heads. They come up to the surface of the water to take a breath.

Question 3

What do whales eat?

Accepted Answer

Some whales eat tiny shrimp-like creatures called krill and small fish, while others eat bigger animals like squid or even bigger fish. It depends on the type of whale.

Question 4

How big can whales get?

Accepted Answer

The blue whale is the biggest animal on the planet and can be as long as two or three school buses! Some whales are smaller, but they are all big compared to most sea animals.

Question 5

Do whales sleep?

Accepted Answer

Yes, whales sleep but not like humans. They rest one half of their brain at a time so they can still come up to breathe.

Question 6

Can whales talk?

Accepted Answer

Whales can't talk like people, but they do make sounds to communicate. They make different noises like clicks, whistles, and songs to talk to each other.

Question 7

Why do whales jump out of water?

Accepted Answer

Whales jump out of the water, which is called breaching, for several reasons. They might be trying to get rid of parasites, communicate, play, or just because it feels good!

Question 8

How long do whales live?

Accepted Answer

Some whales can live a very long time, even over 100 years! It's like having a birthday many, many times!

Question 9

Do whales have families?

Accepted Answer

Yes, whales often travel in groups called pods. These can include moms, dads, and baby whales, along with other whales that are friends or family.

Question 10

Are whales friendly?

Accepted Answer

Whales are generally gentle giants and are not aggressive towards humans. In fact, many people find them to be quite curious and friendly when encountered in the ocean.

Question 11

How do scientists study whales?

Accepted Answer

Scientists watch whales in their natural habitat, use special equipment to listen to their sounds, and sometimes tag them to learn where they go. They also study whales that have washed up on shore to learn more about them.

Question 12

Why are whales important to the ocean?

Accepted Answer

Whales play a big role in keeping the ocean healthy. When they poop, it helps feed tiny plants in the ocean, which in turn helps feed other sea creatures.

Question 13

What are whale songs?

Accepted Answer

Whale songs are long patterns of sounds that some whales, like humpbacks, make. These songs can be heard for miles underwater and are used to communicate.

Question 14

Do whales have teeth?

Accepted Answer

Some whales, like the sperm whale, have teeth and eat larger prey. Other whales, like the blue whale, have baleen plates to filter tiny food from the water.

Question 15

Can whales see well underwater?

Accepted Answer

Yes, whales can see underwater, but they also rely a lot on sound to 'see' their surroundings. This is like a special version of echolocation that helps them find food and friends.

Question 16

What is a baby whale called?

Accepted Answer

A baby whale is called a calf. Just like a cow's baby is called a calf!

Question 17

Why do whales migrate?

Accepted Answer

Whales migrate to find food and to have their babies in warmer waters. They make long journeys from cold to warm places every year.

Question 18

Do whales ever get lost?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes whales do get lost and end up in places they don't usually visit. Scientists think this might happen because of changes in their environment or confusion from loud noises.

Question 19

How fast can whales swim?

Accepted Answer

Some whales can swim very fast, like the killer whale, which can reach speeds of over 30 miles per hour. But usually, they swim more slowly when they are traveling long distances.

Question 20

Are whales endangered?

Accepted Answer

Some whales are endangered because of hunting, pollution, and getting caught in fishing gear. People are working hard to protect them and make sure they don’t disappear forever.

The Science of Whales and Their Behavior - 20 FAQs Explained Simply