Gray Whale Adaptations and Anatomy

The video explores the gray whale, a marine mammal that has evolved over 30 million years. It highlights the whale's unique features, such as its blowholes, rostrum, and vibrissae, which aid in breathing and sensing. The whale's eyes are adapted for high pressure and low light, while its baleen plates help in feeding. Blubber provides insulation and energy storage, and the flexible rib cage aids in deep diving. The whale's anatomy, including its tail and flippers, supports movement and buoyancy.

How many blowholes do baleen whales, including the gray whale, possess?

• Three

• Two

• One

• Four

What is the function of the vibrissae found on the gray whale's rostrum?

• To help with breathing

• To aid in swimming

• To detect prey

• To provide a sense of touch

What adaptation allows gray whales to focus on objects both above and below water?

• Transparent eyelids

• Flexible lenses

• Thick eyelids

• Muscles around the eye

What material are the gray whale's baleen plates made of?

• Calcium

• Keratin

• Cartilage

• Bone

How do the grooves on a gray whale's throat assist in feeding?

• They help in sound production

• They store food

• They expand to allow large mouthfuls

• They filter water

What is the primary function of the blubber in gray whales?

• To aid in digestion

• To provide buoyancy

• To help in communication

• To store energy and insulate

How does the gray whale's rib cage adapt to deep diving?

• It bends under pressure

• It contracts

• It expands

• It becomes rigid

What is the role of the gray whale's pectoral flippers?

• To increase speed

• To store fat

• To steer and stop

• To produce sound

What replaces the dorsal fin in gray whales?

• A smooth back

• A series of fins

• A dorsal hump with nodules

• A dorsal ridge

What percentage of the gray whale's body weight is made up by the muscles controlling the flukes?

• 20%

• 40%

• 10%

• 30%