Alaska and Whales

On Tuesday we saw a movie called Big Miracle in class. The movie was about three whales trapped in the ice in Alaska. The main point was how much people are able to do when they stand together and are supporting each other. It was interesting to see that even huge animals such as whales can get in trouble and be in need of our help. I wanted to find more about whales, so I browsed the internet for information. I like whales because they are enormous and make cute noises.

So here are some facts about whales :

 * Whale is the common name for various marine mammals

 * The term whale sometimes refers to all cetaceans, but more often it excludes dolphins

 * Whales range in size from the blue whale, the largest animal known to have ever existed at 30 m (98 ft) and 180 tones!!!!

 * Whales collectively inhabit all the world's oceans and number in the millions, with annual population growth rate estimates for various species ranging from 3% to 13%

 * For centuries, whales have been hunted for meat and as a source of raw materials. By the middle of the 20th century, industrial whaling had left many species seriously endangered, leading to the end of whaling in all but a few countries.

 * Whales breathe air, are warm-blooded, nurse their young with milk from mammary glands, and have body hair.

 * Whales breathe via blowholes; baleen whales have two and toothed whales have one. These are located on the top of the head

Source: Wikipedia

And since these whales were trapped in Alaska, here are some facts about Alaska

* Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area

* It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with the international boundary with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait.

*Alaska was purchased from Russia on March 30, 1867, for $7.2 million (It’s about two cents per acre!! *really cheap)

*Alaska has a longer coastline than all the other U.S. states combined

* Alaska is divided in 6 regions

* Like all other U.S. states, Alaska is governed as a republic

I hope you liked my facts about whales and Alaska and I appreciate if you would leave a comment!


- Have you ever seen a whale before?