What are whales?

Whales are huge, friendly animals that live in the ocean. Think of them as the ocean’s giant, swimming relatives. They are mammals, which means they breathe air, have warm bodies, and feed their babies with milk, just like you do.

Whales look like giant fish, but they are not fish at all. Fish breathe underwater using gills, but whales must come up to the surface to take a deep breath. Imagine blowing bubbles into a cup of water, that is how whales release extra air when they surface. Their bodies are sleek and smooth, built for gliding through water with very little effort, similar to how a wet slide lets you zoom down quickly.

Whales have amazing ways to communicate. They sing low, rumbly songs that can travel for miles underwater. It is like shouting across a huge playground, but with sound moving faster in water than in air. Some whales, like the humpback, create complex tunes to find friends or mates. Other whales, like the blue whale, are so big they eat tiny shrimp-like creatures called krill. They scoop up huge mouthfuls of these small snacks, much like using a giant net to catch flies at a picnic.

Whales are nature’s gentle giants, connecting the deep sea to the sky by breaking the surface for air.