What do humpbacks, right whales and blue whales have in common? - Oceana Canada
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January 18, 2023

What do humpbacks, right whales and blue whales have in common?

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BY: Rachelle Naddaf

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Humpbacks and right whales and blue whales, oh my! Beyond being whales, what do these species have in common?

They’re all baleen whales! These are a unique group of whales that have plates of baleen in their mouths instead of teeth. Baleen plates are made of keratin, the same protein in fingernails and hair, and are used to filter tiny animals out of seawater to eat. The number, size and colour of baleen plates differ and are unique to each species of whale. Some whales, like the bowhead, can have huge baleen plates measuring up to four metres in length!

Watch this to learn more about baleen whales in Canada and then head over to our Marine Life Encyclopedia.

 

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