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

Rabbits with obesity - Detection and Diet

Rabbits or Oryctolagus cuniculus are, within the small mammals, of which they have more tendency to gain weight.That is why it is not so strange that a domestic rabbit ends up being obese. In fact, many people with pets tend to show carinos aestas with excesses that many Sometimes they manifest themselves in the form of food, but we must bear in mind that excess food is never healthy and less if it is a different type of food than the basic one. If you have a rabbit or you plan to adopt To one, find out about rabbits with obesity, detection and diet that we must offer to improve their health. What is obesity? Obesity is excess weight in the form of fat in the body.It occurs in animals that are prone to it genetically and/or by their lifestyle. In addition to being a problem in itself, it aggravates or accelerates other possible diseases over time.Other more direct effects of obesity are loss of agility, joint wear, exhaustion and increased sleep among many others. Obesity ...

How to know what size a mongrel dog will be?

When we talk about a mixed breed dog or mixed breed dog , generally we refer to a dog whose ancestry is unknown and that has typical characteristics of two or more breeds.This is usually the result of a non-selective breeding, but generally fortunate, since a mongrel dog can be exactly as good companion as a dog of a certain breed. Due to numerous factors, although here it is worth highlighting the great genetic variability, there are many advantages of having a mongrel dog and it is important to emphasize this point since unfortunately it is usually grant a lower value to a dog of these characteristics.If you are thinking of adopting a mixed breed dog, you are surely gathering all the necessary information, if you are wondering how to know what size a mongrel dog will be I didn't leave It is to read this article of Animals and Pets Online. Is it possible to know the size of a mongrel dog? Of course, estimating the exact size of a mongrel dog is not an easy task, although ...

What is the canicross? How to practice it with your dog?

There are more and more people who practice canicross with their Dogs: they run with them tied at the waist.This sport can be done individually, although there are also clubs that prepare for different competitions at regional, national or international level. Developing daily activities with your dog is a excellent way to strengthen your link , for this reason, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we want to talk about canicross, a very complete impact sport for people who want to exercise with their pets. Next, we will explain what is canicross and how to practice it with your dog , a great way to create a proactive routine and to promote a healthy physical state for both: What is the canicross? Canicross is one of the most fashionable canine sports today.Actually, it is a modality of mushing , the traditional sled dog throw. It consists of running with a dog tied at the waist using a belt and a firing line that is fixed with a carabiner.The line of fire is conn...

12 invasive species in Argentina and its consequences

According to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development e , through the National Information System on Invasive Exotic Species, more than 650 invasive species were detected in Argentina .Many of these species were introduced by man, with the intention of obtaining economic benefits, "increase" the local level of sport hunting, or combat pests that were damaging agriculture or livestock. Although the idea of greater diversity in nature may seem interesting, the introduction of exotic animals and plants, Without a previous study of its environmental impact, it usually threatens the survival of the native fauna and flora of the country .In this new article of Animals and Pets Online, we present the main 12 invasive alien species in Argentina and its consequence s for the country's ecosystem. 1.Pinto starling (Sturnus vulgaris) The introduction of these birds is very recent in Argentina, but it already generates great concern for its impact on fauna...

The 15 best dog feeds on the market

What to consider when selecting the best dog food? When selecting the feed that we are going to provide to our dog, we must take into account, mainly, its age.This is because industrial balanced foods are classified according to the age of the animal , offering I think for junior dogs (puppies), I think for adult dogs and I think for senior (elderly) dogs.When a dog goes from junior to adult and then to senior ? I think for dogs junior , in general, is intended for puppies from 2 to 12-15 months, depending on their adult size. I think for adult dogs is for dogs that are 1 to 8 years old. I think for dogs senior is designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs that exceed 8 years of age. In addition to the age of the animal, we will consider its adult size , since there are also small dog food s, medium, large and giant, adapted to the needs of each one. Once the range of feed for dogs that fits the age and size of our furry companion has been detected, how to ch...

Feline Calicivirus - Symptoms and Treatment

In Animals and Pets Online we want the best for your pet, That is why we try to cover all the diseases, ailments and behaviors that may be presented to your furry friend. On this occasion, we will talk about the feline calicivirus, symptoms and treatment , because this disease is very common among cats and can be dangerous for your cat if it is not detected in time. Always remember not to self-medicate your pet, go to the consultation with your veterinarian before any unusual symptoms or behavior, and give your little friend all the love, care and food he needs to be a strong, healthy and happy animal. What is feline calicivirus? It is a highly infectious disease that usually affects large colonies of felines, due to the ease with which the virus is transmitted.However, it can also appear among home cats. Calicivirus (FCV) is a type of feline flu .It manifests itself as an acute respiratory disease that affects the feline's upper pathways, causing sinusitis and rhin...

Commensalism - Definition, types and examples

In nature there are symbiotic relationships between the different organisms to achieve an end.There are relationships where one of the parties obtains very negative results, as in cases of predation or parasitism.In other relationships, sometimes, not even everyone involved knows that they are part of a relationship.This is the case of commensalism. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will discover the definition of commensalism, we will see what types exist and some examples of commensalism.Keep reading! What is commensalism? Biological commensalism is defined as the relationship between two organisms of different species, where one of them benefits and the other does not get anything , neither positive nor negative.of the relationship for one of them is neutral. Commensalism is a type of symbiosis that, unlike others, such as parasitism or predation, does not result in a negative ending for any of the parties involved On the other hand, the difference between mut...

The best cat breeds for allergy sufferers

Approximately about 30% of the population suffers cat allergy and dogs, the first option being much more common than the second one.However, being allergic to one or more animals does not mean that the body of the affected person reacts as a result of the presence of the feline, can, etc., but for the proteins found in the urine, dandruff or saliva of animals, called allergens. 80% of cat allergies are a the Fel D1 protein , produced in the saliva, skin and some organs of the animal.In this way, and despite the erroneous belief of many, it is not the hair of the feline that causes the allergy, although It can accumulate in the allergen after self-treatment.Also, if you are part of the aforementioned 30% but you love these furry companions and you would love to be able to Vir with one, you should know that there is a series of cat breeds for allergies that produce a smaller amount of the allergen, as well as a series of very effective techniques to avoid allergic reactions.Read ...

Distribution of the wild cat in Spain

The wildcat in Spain is distributed in the most recondite, rugged and lonely forest areas of our peninsula.It is an animal that is very negatively influenced by the proximity of the human being. The proliferation of urbanizations throughout the Spanish territory has pushed back the habitat of this beautiful wild feline.In this article Animals and Pets Online I will discover some places where this jewel of nature is still found. Discover the distribution of the wildcat in Spain , yes, never with the intention of harming the species, rather as a tool to enjoy the wild animals that still inhabit the peninsula. Personal experience A few years ago I was riding a bike through a very secluded forest, close to the tiny town of Espoya.Pueblo next to Capellades, in the province of Barcelona, I stumbled upon leaving a bend in a stony path with a wild cat perched on a thick and thick tree . I hope the big cat got scared as much as I did, which I guess lost a few months of life as a ...

Why was the dodo extinguished?

Surely you've ever heard of the dodo, that fat and silly bird that died in the hands of the conquerors.We have all heard that story but we know little about this animal that I inhabit for a long time in the Mauritius Islands long before the arrival of men. All the data we have about of the Dodo are ancient descriptions and some specimens in different museums of the world.There were two species, the common dodo and the white dodo , the latter inhabited Reunion Island. In this article of Animals and Pets Online you will know the main characteristics of this animal. Because they disappeared and when the last dodo was notified . Features The dodo was a non-flying bird endemic to the Mauritius islands in the Indian Ocean, they were only present in this region and their bodies had adapted to life on these islands. They had no natural predators so they lost the ability to fly.They adapted to terrestrial life which led to a series of changes in their anatomy.The wings were m...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog