 |
 |
|
Whales - Dolphins - Figurines - Collectibles - DecorAbout Dolphins - WhalesThe whale is the largest animal in the sea. There are two types of whales; the baleen whale, which is the largest species of whale and has a structure which is similar to a sieve through which they filter plankton from the water, and the toothed whale, which preys on squid, fish, or both. Whales can live for anywhere from forty to 200 years - a whale caught recently was found with a piece of a lance that was used in the 1800's stuck in it, so the whale was estimated to be between 115 and 130 years old. Whales are warm blooded, give birth to live young who they nurse for sometimes over a year, creating a strong bond between cow and calf, and breathe air. In most whales, the young don't reach sexual maturity for up to a decade. This means fewer calves are born but also means that those whales that are living have a better chance of survival. A relative of the whale is the dolphin. There are almost forty species of dolphins and they range in size from 4 feet in length and 88 pounds in weight in the case of the Maui dolphin, to 30 feet in length and ten tons in the case of the Orca or killer whale. Unlike whales, dolphins reach sexual maturity at an early age, with the exact age varying depending on the species. Dolphins are one of the few animals besides humans who engage in sexual activity for reasons other than reproduction, and sometimes will mate with other dolphin species, producing hybrid dolphins. There are six species of dolphins that are referred to as whales, but strictly speaking are dolphins. These species are: false killer whale, long-finned pilot whale, melon-headed whale, pygmy killer whale, killer whale, and the short-finned pilot whale. They are members of the family Delphinidae, which are oceanic dolphins.
We all love those cute mammals of the ocean. Well, whales may not be cute to all of us. These creatures of the ocean however need our help from being killed and their environment destroyed by humans. Tropical Treasure House supports the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS). All profits from whale and dolphin merchandise sold on this website are donated to the WDCS. Whale and Dolphin Conservation SocietyThe Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) is a wildlife charity and environmental organization that dedicates itself to "conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins and porpoises." The stated aims of Society are:
(Fair use quote from the WDCS website). The WDCS is primarily a UK operation but has offices in the USA, Germany and Australia and also carries out projects in Asia and the Americas. The charity was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Chippenham in Wiltshire. Its most significant physical presence is its Moray Firth Wildlife Centre in Spey Bay on the Moray Firth in Scotland. The Society has a travel wing - out of the blue holidays, a eco-tourism company that packages whale watching trips around the world. Formally speaking the two entities are separate as the WDCS is a non-commercial charity whereas out of the blue is a commercial entity that gives profits to the WDCS.
|
|
