Just as the lion is the king of the jungle, similarly, the blue whale is the queen of the ocean. The blue whale is loved by everyone due to its calm nature. This fish is enormous in size, which makes other fish afraid to even come near it. There are such mysterious facts about the blue whale that you will be amazed to learn.
Blue Whale Size Comparison
The blue whale is one of the largest species in the world, originating 50 million years ago. A blue whale measures up to 30 meters in length and weighs over 180 tons. According to scientists, it is said that blue whales are even larger than the skeletons of dinosaurs from millions of years ago. The blue whale is not only huge but also leaps great distances in the water. However, it has several species.
How Big Is a Blue Whale?
The blue whale is massive not just in appearance but in reality as well. When it leaps out of the water, the sight is breathtaking. The heart of a blue whale is as big as a car, and all its organs, including its tongue, are extraordinarily large. On the whale’s back, there is a large hole that helps it release gas. When the blue whale surfaces to exhale, it releases water and gas with such intensity that it makes a loud, fierce, and terrifying sound, resembling the noise of a tank being emptied, which can frighten an ordinary person.
How Long Can a Blue Whale Hold Its Breath?
Despite its many remarkable features, the blue whale breathes only through the blowhole near its head and back. A unique aspect of this fish is that it cannot breathe underwater but takes in a significant amount of oxygen when it surfaces, allowing it to hold its breath underwater for up to 90 minutes (1.5 hours).
When a blue whale gives birth, the baby weighs about 2.5 tons. A baby blue whale can drink over 200 to 300 liters of milk. The lifespan of a blue whale ranges from 70 to 90 years, and it can stay awake for up to three months. Another unique feature is that even when awake, one part of its brain sleeps while the other remains active.
Most Popular News
Blue whales are very beautiful to look at. Humans can trust them much like dolphins, but befriending them can sometimes be dangerous as they are not as intelligent as dolphins. Therefore, if it comes near your boat in the ocean, be cautious because its movements can sink your boat.
When a whale’s end approaches, it either surfaces slightly or descends to the ocean’s deepest point, becoming food for many fish without directly killing any living fish. Additionally, when a whale surfaces, it swells like a gas balloon and bursts. At this point, approaching the whale is extremely dangerous.
Why Is the Blue Whale Not Considered a Fish?
Scientists do not classify the blue whale as a fish because it used to walk and hunt on land thousands or millions of years ago. Over time, it began hunting in water as well, eventually transforming into what we now see as a fish. This is why we perceive the blue whale as a fish, but scientists do not categorize it as one.
