Aquatic mammals - Characteristics and examples

All living beings on the planet have their origin in the aquatic environment .Throughout evolutionary history, mammals have been changing and adapting to conditions on the surface of the earth until, several million years ago, some submerged themselves in the oceans and rivers, adapting to life under these conditions.

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about aquatic mammals, better known as marine mammals, since it is in the seas where a greater number of species of this type They inhabit.Discover the characteristics of these animals and some examples.

Characteristics of aquatic mammals

The life of mammals in water is very different from that of terrestrial mammals.In order to survive in this environment, they have had to acquire special characteristics during their evolution.

Water is a much denser environment than air and, in addition, offers greater resistance, so aquatic mammals have an extremely aerodynamic body that allows them to cope easily.Develop fins similar to those of fish has been a significant morphological change.It allows them to increase speed, direct swimming and communicate.

Water is a medium that absorbs much more heat than air, for This, the aquatic mammals have a thick layer of fat under a hard and robust skin , which keep them isolated from these heat losses.when they live in very cold areas of the planet.Some marine mammals have hair, because certain vital functions are carried out outside the water, such as reproduction.

Those marine mammals that, in certain periods of their lives, inhabit the great depths, have developed other organs to be able to live in the darkness, like the sonar .The sense of sight in these ecosystems is not subtle, because sunlight does not reach that depth.

Like all mammals, these aquatic animals have mammary glands that produce milk for their offspring, sweat glands and gestate on their progeny inside their body.

Breathing of aquatic mammals

Aquatic mammals need air to breathe .Therefore, they take large amounts of air and keep it inside their lungs for long periods of time, when they submerge after taking air, are able to redirect blood to the brain, heart and skeletal muscle.Their muscles have a large concentration of a protein called myoglobin , capable of accumulating large amounts of oxygen.

In this way, aquatic animals are able to remain considerable periods of time without taking air.The young and newborn babies do not have this capacity developed, so they will need to take air more times than the rest of the group.

Types of aquatic mammals

Most species of aquatic mammals live in the marine environment.There are three orders of aquatic mammals: cetacea, carnivora and sirenia.

Order cetacea

Inside of the cetacea order, the most representative species are whales, dolphins, sperm whales, killer whales and porpoises .The cetaceans evolved from a species of terrestrial carnivorous ungulate more than 50 million years ago.The cetacea order Divide into three suborders (one of them extinct):

Archaeoceti : predecessor terrestrial quadruped animals of the current (extinct) cetaceans.
Mysticeti : they are whales with beards.They are carnivorous animals without teeth that take large puffs of water, then filter it through their beards and with the tongue collect the trapped fish.
Odontoceti : Dolphins, killer whales, porpoises and zifios are included here.It is a very diverse group, although its main characteristic l is that they have teeth.In this group we can find the pink dolphin ( Inia geoffrensis ), a kind of mammal aquatic river.

Carnival order

In the carnival order, we include seals, sea lions and walruses , although they could also include to the sea otter and polar bears.This group of animals appeared about 15 million years ago and are believed to be closely related to mustelids and asses (bears).

Order sirenia

Elultimo order, sirenia, includes dugongs and manatees .These animals have evolved from the tetiteriums, animals very similar to the elephants that appeared about 66 million years ago.The dugongs inhabit Australia and, manatees, in Africa and America.

List of examples of aquatic mammals and their names

Cetacea order

Mysticeti:

Greenland Whale ( Balaena mysticetus )
Whale Southern right ( Eubalaena australis )
Glacial free whale ( Eubalaena glacialis )
Pacific free whale ( Eubalaena japonica )
Common Rorcual ( Balaenoptera physalus )
Rorcual sei or borealis (Balaenoptera borealis)
Rorcual de Bryde (Balaenoptera brydei)
Tropical whale (Balaenoptera edeni)
Great blue whale or blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)
Aliblanco, dwarf or common minke ( Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Rorcual austral or Antarctic minke (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)
Rorcual of Omura (Balaenoptera omurai)
Yubarta or humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae )
Gray whale ( Eschrichtius robustus )
Pygmy whale ( Caperea marginata )

Odontoceti:

Tonina overa ( Cephalorhynchus commersonii )
Heaviside dolphin ( Cephalorhynchus heavisidii )
Coastal common dolphin ( Delphinus capensis )
Pygmy killer whale ( Feresa attenuata )
Calderon common ( Globicephala melas )
Risso's dolphin ( Grampus griseus )
Fraser dolphin ( Lagenodelphis hosei )
Atlantic dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus acutus )
Northern dolphin without fin ( Lissodelphis borealis )
Common killer whale ( Orcinus orca )
Hong Kong pink dolphin ( Sousa chinensis )
Delfin listed ( Stenella coeruleoalba )
Bottlenose or bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus )
Boto, Amazon dolphin, pink dolphin ( Inia geoffrensis )
Baiji, Chinese river dolphin ( Lipotes vexillifer )
Silver Dolphin ( Pontoporia blainvillei )
Beluga ( Delphinapterus leucas )
Narval ( Monodon monoceros )

Carnival order

Seal Mediterranean monk ( Monachus monachus )
Northern sea elephant ( Mirounga angustirostris )
Leopard seal ( Hydrurga leptonyx )
Common or harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina )
Australian and South African sea lion ( Arctocephalus pusillus )
Guadeloupe sea bear ( Arctophoca philippii townsendi )
Steller's sea lion ( Eumetopias jubatus )
California sea lion ( Zalophus californianus )
Sea otter ( Enhydra lutris )
Polar bear ( Ursus maritimus )

Sirenia order

Dugongo ( Dugong dugon )
Caribbean Manati ( Trichechus manatus )
Amazonian Manati ( Trichechus inunguis )
African Manati ( Trichechus senegalensis )

If you want to read more articles similar to Aquatic mammals-Features and examples , we recommend that you enter our Curiosity section It's from the animal world.

References

https://basicbiology.net/animal/mammals/marine

Bibliography

Irving, L.1973.Comparative Physiology of Thermoregulation.ACADEMIC PRESS, INC.2: 47-96.

Kramer, DL1988.The behavioral ecology of air breathing by aquatic animals.Canadian Journal of Zoology, 66 (1 ): 89-94.

Comments

Tricks to shine my dog's hair

There are several homemade tricks to keep your dog's hair shiny and healthy.The simplest and most economical is to brush it gently on a daily basis (5 minutes are enough) although you can use many other techniques to make it look perfect either winter or summer. There are many tricks that have been used since ancient times They have been used to enhance the beauty of hair, both humans and animals, although more time is required to elaborate and apply them than usual brushing.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain the most common or easy to apply so that the Your dog's hair is bright. In addition, you should keep in mind that factors such as feeding directly affect the quality and brightness of the dog's hair.Read reading to know tricks to brighten the my dog's hair . Beer The application of non-alcoholic beer to the dog's hair at the end of the bath, is proven to improve its brightness because it nourishes the hair bulb and softens th...

How to know if my rabbit loves me?

Rabbits are sweet and adorable animals, however, it is not always easy to identify the signals that they send us through their body language .These are sensitive and scary beings, with a behavior very different from other mammals. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain 5 signals to help you understand your furry companion a little more.Find out below how to know if your rabbit loves you .You will be surprised! 1.Ronronea Rabbits are animals shy and somewhat suspicious , so it may take several months until they get used to our presence.In fact, some may never get to do so if they have suffered a truly traumatic experience in the past.However, a rabbit that is happy is his home will begin to show more frequently certain sounds of rabbits.In this case, the purr is a sound that indicates that is calm and happy . 2.Lick you Like dogs or cats, rabbits can't resist licking your skin, they love the salty taste! However, licking doesn't just mean t...

Fox paulistinha or terrier brasilian dog: features and photos

The Brazilian terrier , also popularly known as fox paulistinha , is a small to medium sized dog, slender and firm but not heavy in structure.It is the second breed of dogs officially recognized in Brazil.These dogs are very active , curious and has a great hunting instinct, which makes them good guard dogs and hunters, but they are also ideal pets for all those owners who love to exercise and play with their companion animals, since the paulistinha fox It is a dog that needs a lot of physical and mental activity , and is not recommended for people who live in flats or have small children. If you want to know all the characteristics about the terrier Brazilians, do not miss this breed of Animals and Pets Online and find out about t Everything you need to know before adopting a Paulistinha fox as a new member of your family. Origin of Paulistinha Fox The history of this breed is poorly known and controversial.Some authors believe that the Paulistinha fox, as it is known coll...

Types of herbivorous reptiles

There are many reptile fans who would like to start adopting and possess some very easy to maintain .However, most of the usual reptiles in pet stores have a common factor that puts these first time fans behind: almost all reptiles for adoption are insectivorous. This displeases these fans for various reasons.One very important thing is that insects cause them to repeat.Another factor to keep in mind is that incessant trips to the store must be made to provide themselves with live food, which often escapes and colonize the house.Crickets escaped inside a home can plunge their inhabitants into an insomniac despair.It is also not pleasant for many people to make a colony of crickets at home. If you are any of these fans, continues reading this p ost as Animals and Pets Online will tell you the different types of herbivorous reptiles. Land turtles Without a doubt, the most frequent herbivorous pet reptiles are the land turtles .In addition, they are also the easiest to maintain ...

Kangaroo rat: characteristics

The Kangaroo rat belongs to the genus dipodomys , a group of small rodents from North America.They receive this name because of their miniature resemblance to Australian kangaroos: they have two hind legs of greater size that they use to move.There are currently 22 species of diplodomys or kangaroo rats spread over various areas, although the morphology is very similar in all cases, it only changes slightly. It is not a domestic animal due to its high displacement needs and its feral behavior that It does not allow to achieve a good relationship between the person who keeps him in captivity.Read reading this breed sheet of Animals and Pets Online to discover everything about the kangaroo rat . Habitat These small rodents are native to the lands of the United States, prefer a dry and sandy environment although we can also find them in rocky areas belonging to Central America.Their survival is really enviable since they remain in extreme environments with high temperatures...

Addison's disease in dogs

Addison's disease, technically called hypoadrenocorticism , is a type of rare ailment suffered by young and middle-aged dogs.It is not well known and even some veterinarians have trouble recognizing the symptoms.It is due to the inability of the animal's body to produce certain hormones.Although it is difficult to To diagnose, dogs that receive the correct treatment can lead a normal and healthy life. If your dog is constantly ill and none of the medications work, maybe you are interested in reading this Expert Expert article on the Adisson disease in dogs, causes symptoms and treatment. Canine Addison-Causes of Addison's disease in dogs As we have said, this disease is caused by the inability of the dog's brain to release certain hormones, called adrenocorticotropic (ACTH).These are responsible for maintaining the correct sugar levels, controlling the balance between the sodium and body potassium, to support cardiac function or to control the immune system, am...

Flea bite allergy in dogs

In this Animals and Pets Online article we discuss a common problem: the allergy to flea bites in dogs .We say usual because fleas are parasites of wide worldwide distribution that, due to the conditions provided in our homes, can survive throughout the year, being able to bite dogs, cats, any other warm-blooded animal and even humans. Not all dogs develop allergies, but it is worth knowing this pathology because it is very common and the symptoms are very annoying, so read on to find out how to know if your dog is allergic to flea bites . Flea life cycle Fleas are parasitic insects observable to the naked eye.They have a flattened body to move better between the fur and are characterized by their high-altitude jumps.The adults get on the dog and bite to extract her blood , from which they feed.The female deposits eggs in the environment, between carpets or slits.These develop in several phases until they become adults and get on another animal, restarting the cycle.their way...

Canine Ehrlichiosis - Symptoms and Treatment

In addition to being uncomfortable and unpleasant, there are many diseases that a tick can transmit to a dog, some of them quite serious.An example is ehrlichiosis , a pathology caused by a somewhat peculiar bacterium that, among other conditions, can cause anemia in our furry. Fortunately, there are medications that can solve this pathology.If you want to know more about ehrlichiosis in dogs, their symptoms and their treatment , in this article of ExpertAnimal we tell you all about this disease. What is canine ehrlichiosis? Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by a type of bacteria belonging to the genus Ehrlichia , being the most frequently involved Ehrlichia canis . This germ is characterized by being extraordinarily small and living inside the canine cells. Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by ticks , specifically those of the genus Rhipicephalus , so protecting our pets with products with antiparasitic effect, either in pipette or collar format, is essential to prevent t...

Havanese Bichon dog: characteristics

The Habanero Bichon or Havanes Bichon is an adorable small dog with long and soft hair.The origins of the breed are located between Spain and Italy, the Mediterranean basin, but the breed eventually developed in Cuba where he lived with the aristocracy of the 19th century.It is a jovial, active dog and cheerful, perfect for very different families looking for a caring companion. In this Animals and Pets Online file we will share with you some details about the character and care required by the Havana bichon, an excellent company dog.Thinking of adopting this dog, you cannot miss this complete card in which you will discover whether or not it is the perfect companion for you: Havana Bichon History This breed shares its origin with all other bichones, which descend from barbet crosses (an old dog already extinct) and lap dogs from the Mediterranean basin.Other breeds that They descend from that same line are: Bichon Frize, Bichon Maltes, Bichon Bolones and, a little further p...

What do puppies eat?

Did your little puppy just come home and are you worried about feeding? Of course, whenever we comply with responsible ownership, we have to worry about being able to cover all the needs of our pet, and feeding is one of the most important. A Puppy needs a high concentration of nutrients so that its full development can be carried out without problems, but it also needs these nutrients to be contained in foods that adapt to its chewing possibilities. What do puppies eat? If you want to end your doubts do not stop reading this article of Animals and Pets Online. A puppy's first food is his mother's milk Sometimes and due to very different problems it may be necessary to feed prematurely weaned puppies, however, when we talk about everything that concerns the welfare of a dog, the first thing is to clarify that we should never rush to take it to our home, a forced weaning is a very serious mistake . For the puppy to get all the nutrients it needs, it can carry out t...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog