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Amazing Information & Facts About Blue Whale for Kids
Blue whales are the largest animals to have ever lived on our planet. Being endangered animals, it’s important that children learn about their behaviour, habitat, population and the influence of human activity have on them.
What is a Blue Whale?
Blue whales (scientific name Balaenoptera Musculus) are the largest animals on the planet; they can grow to lengths of around 30m (100ft) and weigh over 150 tons. Although these marine animals resemble fishes in their physical appearance, they have more in common with us than they have with fish; they are mammals. They give birth to live young ones and suckle them for 6-9 months till they grow. Blue whales are found in all of the world’s oceans and mostly spend summers close to the arctic waters feeding on krill. They are relatively solitary animals and are often found alone or in pairs of two adults or mother and calf, and even then, they are known to swim several kilometres apart. Although they are aquatic animals, blue whales cannot breathe underwater. They have to surface periodically for breaths of air. They are known to stay submerged for periods up to 20 minutes when feeding and dive up to a depth of 500 meters.
Physical Features of Blue Whale
Blue whales aren’t as blue as they seem in deep waters, it’s an effect caused by sunlight and the depth of the ocean around. In reality, they are greyish blue.
A fully mature whale can grow up to 30 meters long, and their average length is around 20 to 25 meters. The longest recorded whale measured 33.5m.
Their flippers measure 3-4 meters in width which is only about 12% of its overall length. They also have small triangular dorsal fins to help them steer in the water.
Being the largest animals, they also are super-heavy. Their weight can range from 150 to 190 tons (150000 -190000Kg) which is about the weight of 30 adult elephants.
Despite their enormous size, they are graceful swimmers thanks to their streamlined body which almost gives them the appearance of a submarine from the air. They swim at an average speed of 20 Km/hr and can reach a top speed of 50 km/hr.
Blue Whale Diet
Blue whales are carnivorous, and their diet consists of some of the smallest animals in the ocean called Krill.
Krill are small crustaceans that are similar to shrimp and measure in size between 1-5 cm on an average. A few species can also grow to sizes of 10-12cm.
Krill are often found in the ocean travelling in dense masses that are referred to as swarms or clouds. Their body is often pinkish-red in colour, and when they travel in a large enough mass, they make the ocean look pink from above.
Blue whales are also called Baleen whales due to the way their mouth has evolved to feed on Krill. Unlike other whales that have teeth, blue whales have baleen plates to eat the small crustaceans in a method called filter feeding.
The whale swims into a swarm of krill with its mouth wide open to collect as much krill as it can. Then they shut their mouth and expel the water out using their tongue while the baleen bristles act like a filter to trap their prey.
They feed about 4000-6000 kg of krill a day, which is over 40 million of the little crustaceans.
Blue Whale Habitat
They live in all the oceans around the globe and depending on the time of the year; they can be found in different oceans.
Most of the year they can be found in the Arctic and Antarctic water where they follow the Krill masses. During mating season they migrate to warmer tropical waters to mate and give birth.
One interesting fact about blue whale habitat for kids is that one of the largest colonies of blue whales was recently found close to Sri Lanka. It remained undiscovered due to three decades of conflict in the region that had made it off limits to most locals and researchers.
How do Blue Whales Give Birth?
They reach sexual maturity at the ages of 5-10 years, while their total lifespan is about 80 years. Their mating season lies between autumn to the end of winter.
Their gestation period is between 10-12 months at the end of which the female gives birth to a single calf.
At birth the calf measures 6 to 7.5 meters in length which are about 1/4th – 1/3rd the size of an adult whale and weigh about 2500kg.
The mothers feed the newborn babies for the first 6-9 months through a nipple. A newly born calf can drink up to 400 litres of milk a day and continues drinking until about 7-9 months. The milk is rich in fat and all the vital nutrients that will help it develop.
Once the mother stops nursing the calf, it will begin to feed on solid food and hunt on its own.
As with other baleen whales, once they reach adulthood, the females tend to be larger than the males.
Are Blue Whales Endangered?
Blue whales are considered as an endangered species due to their low numbers left in the oceans.
Before the whaling era estimated 200,000-300,000 blue whales existed in the world’s oceans. Uncontrolled hunting by humans caused their numbers to plummet to 5000-12000.
During the industrial age, Blue whales were hunted for their blubber (to extract oil), food, clothing and other products made out of whale body parts. The improving technology in hunting and shipbuilding made it easier to catch whales.
After 1931 international agreements were made to regulate whaling in an effort to let populations of whales to recover from the brink of extinction.
It has also been observed that whales could communicate up to 1,600km underwater using sounds prior to the 1940’s. Since then a steady rise of cargo freights and ships in the ocean has increased noise pollution limiting their communication distances to the only 160km. This has significantly impacted their mating behaviour leading to lowers numbers.
Other Interesting Facts about Blue Whales for Children
Here are some blue whale fun facts for kids that are easy to remember:
The blue whale blows, also called spouts at the time of their exhalation consists of air and water. They can shoot up to 9 (30ft) meters into the air.
Their lungs can hold 5000 litres of air during dives.
Blue whales are not only the largest animals now, but they are also the largest animals to have ever existed on the planet. They are larger than even the dinosaurs were.
Other than humans, the only natural predator's blue whales have are a pack of hungry killer whales. However, killer whales mostly target the calves, and their hunt is rarely successful.
They are also considered as apex predators of the oceans as they can travel through the oceans hunting without worrying about being hunted themselves.
When hunting, blue whales can dive to depths of 500 meters and hold their breath for 35 minutes.
It is estimated that over about 95%-99% of the blue whale population was wiped out during the whaling era.
Blue whales are the loudest animals on the planet with their volume greater than 180 decibels. In comparison, the sound of a jet engine at full thrust is 130 decibels.
They also have exceptionally deep voices at frequencies around 14Hz which is inaudible to us.
Blue whales have mating songs to communicate. They are also known to have dialects which depend on which ocean they are in.
They also sleep while swimming and only half of their brain are awake.
Their mouth is large enough to fit 100 people, and yet their food pipe is so small that a human cannot pass through.
Their tongue alone weighs as much as an elephant.
They normally swim around 10km/hr but can go up to 50 km/hr when threatened.
Blue whales are related to hippopotamus through their genetic ancestry.
Although everything about blue whales is massive, they are gentle creatures of the ocean.
Also Read: Amazing Animal Facts for Kids
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Suggested for you
Fried Rice
Steamed rice stir-fried in a wok with some crunchy vegetables make for a delicious treat on a lazy weekend. It also comes to your rescue when don’t have the energy and the patience to conjure up an elaborate meal. Make your version a non-veg one by simply adding eggs or minced chicken or mutton to it.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
15-20 Minutes
10-15 Minutes
Ingredients
4 tsp oil
1 cup spring onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ cup corn
½ cup peas
½ cup carrots
4 cups cooked long-grain rice
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step 1
Cook rice and let it cool. Once cooled, fluff it with a fork and add a bit of salt and pepper to it. Keep aside.
Step 2
Heat a teaspoon of oil in a heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 3
Add chopped garlic and spring onions to the pan and saute for 3-4 mins.
Step 4
Next, add all the vegetables. Cook until they looked slightly cooked i.e. for a minute or two. Overcooking should be avoided. The veggies should retain its crispiness. Once done, transfer the contents of the skillet to a large bowl.
Step 5
Return the same pan to the heat and add a spoonful of oil. Add the fluffed rice and season with salt and pepper. Break up clumps if any. Stir-fry properly such that the rice grains get coated with oil.
Step 6
Transfer the veggies to the rice in the pan and stir them properly. This process should be done on highest possible heat, otherwise the moisture from the veggies will make the rice soggy.
Step 7
Check for seasoning, add salt and pepper if necessary.
Step 8
Serve hot.
Nutritional Information
Calories
763 K cal
Proteins
15.4 g
Fats
6.0 g
Carbohydrates
158.2
Cholesterol
3 mg
Sodium
24 mg
Potassium
424 mg
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Carrot-tomato Uttappam
Getting kids to eat their veggies is every parent’s dream. Make use of your kid’s love for uttappam and mix in veggies into your kid’s diet. It’s a win-win! Your kid will enjoy eating his vegetables and you get to achieve your goal with very little effort. Pair uttappam with sambar or chutneys of choice.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
10-15 Minutes
10 Minutes
Ingredients
250 grams dosa batter
1 big onion, finely chopped
1 tomato, finely chopped
1 to 2 carrots, grated
Salt to taste
Pepper powder to taste
1 tsp oil
Method
Step 1
Mix all the chopped veggies and salt with the batter.
Step 2
Heat dosa pan and spread the batter mixture on the pan.
Step 3
Pour oil around the dosa if needed.
Step 4
Sprinkle some pepper if needed and cook both sides of the dosa. (Avoid pepper if feeding toddlers)
Step 5
Serve hot with chutney or sambar.
Nutritional Information
Calories
209 K cal
Proteins
13.3 g
Fats
14.4 g
Carbohydrates
5.8 g
Cholesterol
19.3 mg
Sodium
337 mg
Potassium
105 mg
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#TricolourRecipe Instant Appam
Appam - easy-to-make, instant version of idlis and tastes awesome!! Crispy from outside and requires very less oil. A healthy snack for everyone at anytime of the day!
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
25 Minutes
10 Minutes
Ingredients
1 cup Rava/Semolina
6 tbsp plain yoghurt
2 tbsp spinach paste for green appam
2 tbsp carrot puree for orange appam
1-1/2 tsp baking powder or 1/2 sachet of Eno
Salt (according to taste)
1/3 cup water
2-4 tbsp of oil for cooking
Method
Step 1
Beat yoghurt with 1/3 cup water for 2-3 minutes. See to it that there are no lumps remaining.
Step 2
Add rava to this mixture, mix it slowly and make a batter by adding more water if required. The batter should of medium consistency - neither too thin nor too thick. Keep it aside for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Now, add baking powder and salt to the mixture. If you don't have baking powder, you can add 1/2 sachet of eno (fruit salt).
Step 4
Divide the batter into three equal portions in three separate containers.
Step 5
In the first container, add carrot puree. Mix well.
Step 6
In the second container, add a little more yogurt. Mix well.
Step 7
In the third container, add spinach paste. Mix well.
Step 8
All the three batters should be of the same consistency.
Step 9
Lightly oil the appam pan with cooking oil or olive oil. Add mustard seeds to the oil.
Step 10
Pour the batter carefully into the pan; sprinkle some oil over it and let it cook for 5 minutes on low to medium heat.
Step 11
Flip them over and let the other side cook.
Step 12
Remove them when they are cooked and they are ready to be served.
Step 13
Enjoy them with chutney or hot sambar!
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How you should Deal with Post Partum Depression in life
Motherhood is the best phase of a Women's life. Being a mother is not easy. It brings lots of new changes and challenges everyday. You are making a new life ladies. And its not easy. So depression is common in all in this phase of life. Almost every women in our Indian Society passes through post partum depression. After a child birth, a women faces lots of challenges. She needs to take care of her baby, house and also so called society. And in this she forgets herself and this leads to post partum depression. Already there are lots of changes in women's life after child birth. Also there are physical and hormonal changes too. People never understand that she olalso needs comfort, rest and utmost care.
So ladies make a promise to yourself to live your life at its best. Take care of your baby and take care of yourself first. Rest things are hardly important. Society never comes to take care of your baby or your house. So just forget about it. Just enjoy your motherhood. Spend more and more time with your baby. Understand them. Speak to them. Enjoy every moment of their development. Record each and every new activity done by them. Teach them everything since beginning. Focus on how you want to raise them. Take care of yourself. Hire a maid for some work. You will get help and also some work will be divided. Listen music. Go for a walk. Do meditation. Speak to any one person who can comfort you or understand you. If you don't have anyone make God your best friend. Then you will never require anyone. Doing all this will help you in dealing with your depression.
Most important is love yourself. Do what you like. Become kid with your kid. Let no one except you make decision for you or your baby. Make some short goals. Try to achieve them. This will make you happy. Be happy and spread happiness. Read more
Puja Kumari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert My baby is 4months old he is having fever after vaccination . how many days would the fever remain? can I give him medicine
Puja Kumari
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
A. vomiting ka kya karan ho sakta
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
Can we have sex during pregnancy and is it safe?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. okay no problem if you don't have any risk factors ko. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. Dr meri baby 12 month running hai uska weight 6 kg hai uska growth nahi ho pa Raha hai to kya kare or over active hai
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. ok see c. if the baby is not having proper height and weight it means that baby is having failure to thrive baby needs investigations like TSH and other related test to find out the reason
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. mere twins baby hai boy nd girl one month 8 days when I check eye and ear which month
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. For the query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Online consultation can also be taken jjand the expert will give you the proper answer .
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
23 mins ago
Q. is white discharge in 8th month normal?
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
22 mins ago
A. hi
yes
but if it is too thick or clear like water,if there other symptoms like itching, irritation, redness,foul smell from vagina, please visit your gynecologist
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 mins ago
Q. My son is 5 months old is suffering from cough..what to do?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
8 mins ago
A. Kindly consult your paediatrician they will examine the child and accordingly they can help you with the best medicine that you can offer to the child as of now and don’t give any medicine without taking an advice from your paediatrician please
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