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

Where do elephants live? - Habitat and distribution

Elephants are among the largest animals in the world., heavy, majestic, with huge ears and imposing fangs, it is difficult for them to go unnoticed. Have you ever wondered where elephants live? Then you can't miss this article! Learn a little more about these mammals, their distribution, that they feed and the main reasons that are leading them to extinction in Animals and Pets Online.Keep reading! The giants of the earth They are called elephants the mammals of the order Proboscidea and the family Elephantidae .One of their prehistoric ancestors was the gigantic mammoth.Its life expectancy is 70 years , although there are records of specimens that have reached almost 90 years.It is part of the list of the 10 largest animals in the world, being the animal Earth's largest land. They are distinguished not only by their size, but also by large ears capable of perceiving sounds over long distances, and by the tube .With this no they only breathe, because it is th...

How to make your cat happy?

Proper nutrition is key to your well-being Like us and the rest of the animals, cats need to be well nourished to feel good.Adequate feeding for the cat's nutritional needs is essential to prevent common diseases in this species. Although it seems obvious, it is important to remember that, if you opt for a commercial food, you should choose a good quality feed.There are numerous scientific studies that prove that a good feed better the general condition of the cat , the quality of the hair, the skin, etc.However, many are those who think that quality products are too expensive and opt for less beneficial foods.If you have the possibility of allowing yourself a better product, what can there be Better than investing in the health of your best friend? In addition, thinking about the cost of veterinary visits, in the long term it is possible to save much more if a better feed is selected.Now, with this we do not mean that the most expensive feed is the best in the market, becaus...

How to take care of my boxer's hair

Usually many people believe that the short hair of boxer dogs does not need Be careful, a big mistake.So if you want to know the boxer dog hair care as if you are considering submitting it to the contest you need to continue reading this article of Animals and Pets Online. Next we will offer you a small product guide , homemade tricks and very useful recommendations so that your boxer's dog hair looks beautiful and healthy. Ready? Find out about how to take care of my boxer's hair by Animals and Pets Online. The importance of taking care of your fur If you have recently adopted a boxer and you don't know this wonderful breed yet, you should be surprised by their tenderness and the affection they offer to those who care for them. Like it happens with other dog breeds, each boxer dog will have a distinct and defined personality, for this reason we can find very clean dogs, less clean and even authentic followers of the water in the puddles, it will depend on each...

Sheep dog of the Pyrenees of flat face: characteristics

Shepherd dog of the Pyrenees of flat face is a variety of the shepherd dog of the long-haired Pyrenees although the International Cynological Federation considers the two as separate breeds.This dog presents practically the same morphology as the other variety, the long-haired shepherd, but it is a little taller, proportionate and has a somewhat different coat. These canines are very active and familiar with theirs but, because of their dog nature guardian, it has to be territorial ay protect theirs against the hidden ones, so that a good socialization will be necessary so that this dog also knows how to relate to the rest of dog companions, other humans, other animals and their environment in general. If you are interested in adopting a flat-faced Pyrenean sheepdog and you don't know what Features, keep reading this breed sheet of Animals and Pets Online and find out all the information necessary to know it better and be happy by your side. Origin of the flat-faced Pyre...

10 reasons to walk your dog

The dog is an animal that needs to walk 2 to 3 times a day, But do you know why that is so? In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain why it is so important to walk with your dog, why the garden does not replace the walk and many other things that, perhaps you do not know. Do not forget This is a very important habit that you must carry out on a daily basis.Not doing so can be very harmful for your pet, do not forget it.Keep reading and discover 10 reasons to walk with your dog . 1.They must make their needs The first reason, and the most important , to take a dog for a walk, is to allow him to do his needs until he is satisfied. Apart from puppies that are not yet able to go outside or who are learning to urinate, it is very negative to allow our dog to urinate and defecate at home.In addition to causing a bad smell, we will be creating an unhealthy environment important that can lead to serious health problems in dogs and humans. 2.It allows them to ...

Can I bathe my dog after vaccinating him?

Have you ever wondered if you can swim a dog just vaccinated? Do you need to have an urgent bath but you just had the vaccine and you are not sure ? In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will show you the consequences of vaccines in your dog's organism, so that you understand better how it feels and can decide whether it is good or bad to ban your dog after getting vaccinated. Can I bathe my dog after vaccinating him? We answer your question and expand the information below, along with other curiosities and essential details, both in adults and puppies, take note and do not lose detail ! How do vaccines affect our dog? On the basis that vaccines are attenuated viruses , what is done is to inoculate them in the body of the animal so that it produces antibodies naturally against the most common diseases and dangerous. In the case of adult dogs the veterinarian usually collects in a single dose 4 vaccines against 4 different diseases.In the case of puppies, as t...

How to raise crickets? - Food and care

If you have a pet that feeds on insects, you can that gays valued the option of creating a cricket colony and that you are looking for a cricket farm for sale to start your own community.It is very important to highlight the importance of finding cricket farms in Spain or in any other country and never remove them from the environment , as well as causing an environmental impact, we could spread pathologies to our pets. In this Animals and Pets Online article we will show you how to raise crickets , explaining to you in detail how to take care of crickets at home and achieve a stable, productive and healthy colony, thereby achieving sufficient savings to soundproof the room or the place destined to contain the boxes that will contain the colony and will be sufficient to ensure the protein intake in the food on of a bearded dragon, for example. Necessary material For proper cricket breeding, you must have a pair of plastic containers of between 30 and 50 liters each.The size ...

10 dog breeds that look like wolves

Many people believe that dogs resemble wolves because they descend directly from them , however, some studies begin to show that the dog does not really descend from the wolf as it was believed.Still, both animals belong to the genus Canis (as do jackals, coyotes or dingos) so it is not surprising that they are so physically similar. If you love wolves, dogs or dogs that look like wolves, you have come to the right place! In this Animals and Pets Online article we will show you 10 dog breeds that look like wolves .Do you want to meet them? Then start sailing, some will leave you speechless! Wolfdog The wolfdog is a wolf and dog hybrid that different breeders are crossing across different parts of the world.Their wolf genetic load is subdivided into 3 levels: LC.Genetic level between 1% and 49%. MC.Genetic level between 50% and 75%. HC.Great genetic level at 75%. There is a debate among experts, whether or not this hybrid should be considered a dog.In many countries ...

Why do cats make a lot of noise when they mate?

If you have seen the mating of two wise cats that do a lot of noise.The truth is that the meows begin when the cats enter into heat, to attract the attention of the males .They also respond with meows and so the procession begins. But it is during the copula that the screams are more obvious and scandalous.Many people wonder why do cats make a lot of noise when they mate? In Animal Expert we will answer your question, you will be surprised. Sexual maturity and zeal Females reach sexual maturity between 5 and 9 months of age.Males, meanwhile, somewhat later, between 9 and 12 months .It is quite evident when cats are in heat.In addition to the characteristic meowing, there are many other signs that a cat is in heat, such as licking, tail lifting, etc. The heat in cats has an average of 5 to 7 days and is repeated once a month .This interval will depend on whether the cat has crossed or not with a male during the heat Other factors that may intervene are the season of the a...

How do horses sleep? - Find out!

Like most herbivorous mammals, horses are not characterized by spend long periods of time sleeping, but the base of the dream and its characteristics are the same as the rest.A good rest is essential for the proper development and maintenance of the body.A being deprived of the necessary hours of sick rest and, most likely, will die. In this article of Animals and Pets Online, we will discover how horses sleep, if they stand on their feet or if the horses go to bed.Find out below! The physiology of sleep In the past, sleeping was considered a "state of consciousness", defined as a period of immobility in which individuals did not respond to stimuli, so it was not treated as a behavior, or part of the ethology of a species.We must not confuse rest with sleep, because an animal may be resting without being asleep. In the studies of sleep in horses the same methodology is used than with humans.Three parameters are measured, electroencephalogram to measure brain activi...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog