The Sophisticated Feeding Technique of Humpback Whales
In The Sophisticated Feeding Technique of Humpback Whales, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the Southern Ocean and the humpback whales that feed there. When Antarctica broke off from South America, it created swirling currents that sweep up nutrients from the bottom of the ocean, making it one of the richest waters on earth. In the summer, humpback whales come there to feast on shoals of krill, blowing curtains of bubbles and spiraling inwards to capture the swarm. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
Sir David Attenborough showcases the wonders of our planet's seven continents — from frozen tundras to dense jungles — where life always finds a way.
Lesson Express
Q: What is in the water that feeds the humpback whales?
A: The water contains large groups of krill and small fish that provide food for humpback whales. In some areas, krill gather in enormous swarms, giving whales access to a large amount of food.
Q: How do humpback whales collect the krill? What keeps the krill from escaping?
A: Humpback whales can use a feeding technique called bubble-net feeding. The whale swims in a circle beneath or around a group of krill and releases bubbles. The bubbles create a wall that helps concentrate the krill into a smaller area. The whale then swims upward with its mouth open and takes in the krill-filled water.
Q: What season in Antarctica helps humpback whales store energy and save food?
A: The Antarctic summer provides humpback whales with an abundant supply of krill. During this feeding season, whales eat large amounts of food and build up energy reserves. They later use these stored energy reserves during their migration to warmer waters, where they breed and care for their young.
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