Humpback Whale Anatomy
In Humpback Whale Anatomy, people discuss their close encounters with whales. Professor Joy Reidenberg discusses what she has learned from dissecting dead whales. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: Humpback Whales — A Detective Story, a documentary about our relationship with whales and their future alongside us.
Lesson Express
Q: What similarities do humpback whales and humans have?
A: Although a humpback is bigger than a human, the throat size is the same. Whales are mammals and their ancestors once lived on land. Whales have a high body temperature and their skin sheds like humans.
Q: Although whales are considered gentle, what is some evidence that shows whales can be dangerous?
A: A humpback whale is 500 times larger than a human. The whale doesn’t have teeth, so they can hold both large and small items in their mouths.
Q: If you had to swim in the ocean with whales, what are a few things that you could do to protect yourself?
A: Be mindful of your area and movements, keep a safe distance, and ask an expert for guidance.
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