Portal:Cetaceans
Cetaceans evolved from land mammals that adapted to marine life about 50 million years ago. Over a period of a few millions of years during the Eocene, the cetaceans returned to the sea. Their body is fusiform (spindle-shaped), the forelimbs are modified into flippers, the tiny hindlimbs are vestigial and the tail has horizontal flukes. Cetaceans are nearly hairless, and are insulated by a thick layer of blubber.
Cetaceans inhabit all of the world's oceans, as well as some rivers in South America and Asia. Some species can be found across the globe.
Cetology is the branch of marine science associated with the study of cetaceans.
Whaling is the harvesting of free-roaming whales from the oceans and dates back to at least 6,000 BC. Whaling and other threats have led to at least 5 of the 13 great whales being listed as endangered. Commercial whaling is subject to a moratorium by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), however, at the 2006 IWC meeting, the St Kitts and Nevis Declaration, which protests the moratorium, was adopted by a slim majority.
It is unknown when humans began hunting whales. The earliest archaeological record of whaling is found in South Korea where carved drawings, dating back to 6,000 BC, show that Stone Age people hunted whales using boats and spears. However, over time, whaling techniques have grown more technologically sophisticated. Initially, whaling was confined to (near) coastal waters, such as the Basque fishery targeting the North Atlantic Right Whale from the 11th to 18th century and the Atlantic Arctic fishery around and in between Spitsbergen and Greenland from the 17th to the 20th century. However, after the emergence of modern whaling techniques, certain species of whale started to be seriously affected by whaling. These techniques were spurred in the 19th century by the increase in demand for whale oil, and later in the 20th century by a demand for whale meat.
More on whaling
2014
January
The clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene) became the first confirmed naturally occurring hybrid marine mammal species when DNA analysis showed it to be descended from the spinner dolphin and the striped dolphin. [1]
2009
February
- 10 February - Filipino fishermen have rescued around 200 melon-headed whales which were stranded in shallow waters off the coast of Bataan. Only three dolphins were reported to have died. more
January
- 24 January - The Cove, a feature-length film documenting the killing of dolphins in Taiji, Wakayama, wins the U.S. Audience Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. more
- 22 January - A group of nearly 50 Sperm Whales beached on the northwest coast of the island of Tasmania in Australia. Only five were still alive by Friday afternoon. more
2008
September
- 23 September - Speculation is raised over whether an object washed up near Wellington, New Zealand could be ambergris; City Council spokesman Richard MacLean says this is unlikely. Read more...
- 17 September - A man in Trefriw, Wales pleads guilty to the uncertified selling of a Harbour Porpoise skull on eBay. Read more...
- 10 September - Australia and New Zealand announce a non-lethal whale research program to challenge Japan's whaling. Read more...
August
- 26 August - Findings from the controversial Japanese whaling research program suggest that a loss of Antarctic sea ice due to increased temperatures has lowered whales' food supply, causing an overall decline in blubber. Read more...
- 12 August - IUCN changes the conservation status of the Humpback Whale and Southern Right Whale to "least concern" due to the species' recovery. Read more...
- 1 August - Snubfin Dolphins are recorded on camera for the first time along the Australian coastline. Read more...
- ...cetaceans have evolved from land mammals. Evidence of this is seen in the vestigial hip bones, as well in the pentadactyl ("five-fingered") dorsal flippers/fins.
- ...Herman Melville included an objective study of the properties of whales in Moby-Dick.
- ...a male dolphin named Cinderella was unofficially married to a human woman.
- ...sound made by whales can be extremely loud, with 163 decibels recorded.
- ...about 2000 whales may be beached each year.
Subcategories of Cetaceans:
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A dolphinarium is an aquarium for dolphins. The dolphins are usually kept in a large pool, though occasionally they may be kept in pens in the open sea, either for research or for public performances. Some dolphinariums consist of one pool where dolphins perform for the public (such as above at Loro Parque), others have expanded into much larger parks, keeping other marine animals and having other attractions.
More on dolphinariums
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Recorded by the National Park Service, using a hydrophone that is anchored near the mouth of Glacier Bay, Alaska for the purpose of monitoring ambient noise.
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