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How do whales take care of their babies?
When the whale is born the first thing the mother has to do is bring the baby whale to the surface so that it can take its first breath of fresh air. After that the mother might support the baby until it is strong enough to swim on its own. Baby whales feed on their mother’s milk.
How do blue whales protect their babies?
Well, whales protect their young similarly to how they’d protect themselves – by traveling in pods. Again, by traveling in numbers, whales make it harder for sharks or orcas to target a specific member. If they feel threatened, though, whales will form a circle with their head facing inward, tail facing out.
How long do baby blue whales stay with their mother?
about six to seven months
Calves stay with their mothers for about six to seven months. At 6 months old, calves have just about doubled in length, reaching on average over 52 feet long. The life expectancy of blue whales is unknown, but it’s estimated to be between 80 to 90 years.
How whales feed their babies?
Whale and dolphin babies take relatively short dives underneath their mothers to drink. In a way, nursing underwater is therefore similar to nursing above water: the baby stimulates the mammary glands to eject milk, and then it drinks the milk.
How many babies do blue whales have in their life?
Calving and Birth Baleen whales give birth to a single calf. In most species, a female may bear a calf every two to four years. If twins are conceived, they are unlikely to survive to full term. In rare cases where twins are born, they are not likely to survive due to the limited milk supply from the mother.
How long does a baby blue whale stay with its mother?
Maintaining a strong bond, young calves stay close to their mother’s side for around seven to nine months before being weaned. Learning and growing is thirsty business for a baby blue whale, they can drink up to 250 litres of milk every day.
How big is a newborn blue whale calf?
Newborn blue whale calves are about 7 m (23 ft) long and weigh about 2,700 to 3,600 kg (6,000 to 8,000 lbs.). Baleen whale calves have small, soft baleen plates that soon stiffen. A whale calf suckles from nipples concealed in its mother’s abdominal mammary slits.
How much milk does a baby blue whale drink?
Learning and growing is thirsty business for a baby blue whale, they can drink up to 250 litres of milk every day. Blue whales are also great travellers and pods undertake an endless cycle of migration, heading to cold waters to feed and then warmer waters to breed and look after their young.
How old are baby whales when they start nursing?
While we were at the underwater window, both of the calves, one being about a year old, and the other just about 3 months old, started nursing. I couldn’t believe my luck and of course took some pictures! Depending on the species of whale, some young can stay nursing for up to two years!