Cetaceans are extraordinary animals in many respects. Some, like whales, are enormous in size, so large that they have earned the nickname “giants of the sea.” Others, such as dolphins and orcas, stand out for their intelligence and ability to develop unique solutions to complex problems. Furthermore, some cetaceans communicate using a sophisticated language, with which they transmit culture and teachings from generation to generation, similar to human beings.
Although they may look like fish, cetaceans are actually mammals. They breathe air, are warm-blooded and take care of their young by feeding them with their mother’s milk. But his abilities go much further, as we can learn in the book History of whales and other cetaceanswhose author, Ana J. Cáceres, is our guest on Talking with Scientists.
One of the first things that Ana J. Cáceres teaches us in her book is that cetaceans are divided into two large groups: mysticetes and toothed whales. Mysticetes are giant whales that filter food from the water using special blades called baleen. Toothed whales are animals with teeth and among them there are dolphins, sperm whales and porpoises, which feed on fish and squid.
Each cetacean species has special abilities that make them unique. Here are some examples:
Dolphins and orcas are great communicators. They make sounds like whistles and clicks to interact with their group. This language, in full, allows them to recognise each other individually and share experiences and teachings, creating a sort of common culture.
Humpback whales have a song that can last for hours and be heard from miles away. While we don’t know for sure why they sing, it is thought that it may be to attract other whales or to mark their territory.
Toothed whales have an incredible system for detecting obstacles at a distance without the use of sight, echolocation. They emit ultrasound and listen to how it bounces off objects to pinpoint their location. It’s like natural sonar!
But what most attracts the attention of many cetaceans is their intelligence. Ana J. Cáceres tells several shocking stories in her book. One of them features a female dolphin named Kelly. This animal, which lived in a dolphinarium, learned to collect objects that people threw into the water, a behaviour that keepers encouraged by rewarding the dolphin with a fish for each object delivered. Kelly discovered that if he broke the objects into pieces and delivered them separately, he received a reward for each piece, thus multiplying his earnings. The most surprising thing is that he taught this strategy to other dolphins in the dolphinarium.
Ana J. Cáceres’ book is full of fascinating facts about cetaceans, impossible to summarize in a few lines: their extraordinary underwater skills, their ability to collaborate both among members of their species and with humans, their responses to human pressure, long migrations and much more.
I invite you to listen to Ana J. Cáceres, biologist, specialist in marine mammals, popularizer and author of the book History of whales and other cetaceans.
References:
History of whales and other cetaceans
https://bsky.app/profile/mylestring.bsky.social
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How does echolocation work in toothed whales, and why is it important for their survival?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of talking with Ana J. Cáceres, the author of “History of Whales and Other Cetaceans.” Ana, thank you for joining us.
Ana J. Cáceres: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share insights about these incredible creatures.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in! Cetaceans are often dubbed the “giants of the sea.” What makes them so extraordinary, beyond their immense size?
Ana J. Cáceres: Absolutely! While size is certainly impressive, cetaceans showcase fascinating behaviors, intelligence, and communication skills that really set them apart. For example, dolphins and orcas possess complex social structures and communication methods that allow them to solve problems and share experiences, much like humans do.
Interviewer: That’s intriguing! I read that cetaceans, despite their fish-like appearance, are actually mammals. Can you elaborate on some of the unique characteristics that define them as mammals?
Ana J. Cáceres: Certainly! Cetaceans breathe air, are warm-blooded, and nurse their young with milk. These traits align them more closely with humans and land mammals than with fish. Their ability to adapt to life in the ocean while still maintaining essential mammalian traits is a remarkable aspect of their biology.
Interviewer: You also mentioned two main groups of cetaceans: mysticetes and toothed whales. What are some notable differences between these two groups?
Ana J. Cáceres: Great question! Mysticetes, like the humpback and blue whales, are filter feeders who use baleen plates to strain food from the water. Toothed whales, such as dolphins and sperm whales, possess teeth and actively hunt for fish and squid. This division influences not only their feeding habits but also their behaviors and communication methods.
Interviewer: Speaking of communication, I find it fascinating that cetaceans have such sophisticated languages. How do these interactions shape their culture?
Ana J. Cáceres: Cetaceans exhibit a rich array of sounds, including clicks and whistles, that they use for communication. This enables them to recognize each other and navigate social structures. Their capacity to share experiences and teach younger members of their pods contributes to a collective culture, which is unique among non-human species.
Interviewer: That’s a remarkable insight into their social dynamics! I’ve also heard about the famous songs of humpback whales. What’s the purpose of their singing?
Ana J. Cáceres: The purpose of whale songs is still a topic of research, but it’s believed that they may serve functions such as attracting mates or marking territory. What’s fascinating is that these songs can be heard from miles away, signaling the complexity of their social interactions.
Interviewer: Lastly, I was amazed to learn about the echolocation abilities of toothed whales. Can you explain how that works?
Ana J. Cáceres: Echolocation is indeed a remarkable adaptation. Toothed whales emit sound waves, which bounce off objects in their environment. By interpreting the returning echoes, they can pinpoint the location, shape, and even size of obstacles, effectively using sound as a natural sonar system. This ability is crucial for hunting and navigating murky waters.
Interviewer: Ana, it’s been a pleasure discussing the incredible world of cetaceans with you. Your insights bring to light just how extraordinary these creatures truly are.
Ana J. Cáceres: Thank you! I’m glad to share my passion for cetaceans. They play a vital role in our marine ecosystems, and understanding them better is crucial for their conservation.
Interviewer: Important words for closing! Thank you once again for joining us, and we look forward to more discussions on marine life in the future.
