WHALE BALEEN

 

Whale baleen is a type of fibrous material found in the mouths of certain species of whales, including humpback, gray, and bowhead whales. It is made up of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails, and is used by whales to filter small prey from seawater.

Baleen plates are located on the upper jaw of a whale and are made up of long, thin strands of keratin that are frayed at the ends, similar to the bristles of a brush. These strands are packed tightly together and are held in place by a thin layer of skin.

When a whale feeds, it takes in a large volume of seawater and prey, such as krill or small fish. The baleen plates act as a filter, allowing the whale to separate the water from the prey and trap the prey in its mouth. The whale then expels the water through its baleen plates and swallows the trapped prey.

Baleen is an important adaptation for whales, as it allows them to feed efficiently on small prey that would otherwise be difficult to catch and consume. It also allows them to feed on prey that may be found in dense schools or patches, as the baleen plates can effectively filter out and trap large

quantities of prey at once.

The structure and shape of baleen plates vary among different species of whales. For example, the baleen plates of a humpback whale are long and curved, while those of a bowhead whale is shorter and more triangular in shape. The size and number of baleen plates also vary among species, with some whales having hundreds of plates and others having fewer than 100.

Baleen has also been used by humans for various purposes, such as making corsets, buggy whips, and parasol ribs. However, the use of baleen has decreased significantly in recent years due to conservation efforts and the availability of alternative materials.

In summary, whale baleen is a type of keratinous material found in the mouths of certain species of whales. It is used to filter small prey from seawater and allows whales to efficiently feed on small, densely-packed prey. The structure and shape of baleen plates vary among different species of whales and it has also been used by humans for various purposes in the past.