Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Cetaceans/Answer Key"

Revision as of 02:27, 22 July 2006

1. In what way is the Cetaceans family different to most other sea life?

Unlike most sea creatures, Cetaceans are warm blooded. They are all mammals too, which means they give birth to live young, nourish them with milk, and breathe air.

Another way to tell a cetacean from a fish is by the shape of the tail. The tail of a fish is vertical and moves from side to side when the fish swims. The tail of a cetacean – called a "fluke" – is horizontal and moves up and down.

2. Explain the difference between Baleen and Toothed Whales.

The baleen whales, also called whalebone whales or great whales, are one of two suborders of the Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Baleen whales, rather than having teeth, have baleen plates which hang from the upper jaw and are used for filtering food from water. This distinguishes them from the toothed whales.

Baleen whales are generally larger than toothed whales, and females are larger than males. This group makes up the largest living animal species. Baleen whales have two blowholes, causing a V-shaped blow.

3. In what way have Whales and Dolphins been a benefit to man?

4. Explain how it is that a Whale which breeds in the warm waters of the tropics can also survive the ice cold water of the Antarctica where they go to feed, (considering the whale is a warm blooded mammal like humans).

5. Memorize the following Scriptures concerning whales:

a. Genesis 1:21
b. Ezekiel 32:2
c. Job 7:12
d. Matthew 12:40

6. Write and read to a group, or tell from memory, the story of Jonah.

7. Successfully draw a Baleen Whale and identify where the following body parts are:

a. Baleen Plates: These are the "strainers" in a baleen whale's mouth.
b. Blowhole: A cetacean breaths through this little hole in the top of its head.
c. Dorsal Fin: The fin on the top of many cetaceans.
d. Ear: These are hard to see because they're so small, but cetaceans all have them on the sides of their heads.
e. Eye: The better to see you with!
f. Throat Pleats: These are the folds in a baleen whale's throat and allow the whale's throat to expand when it fills its mouth with water to filter its food through its baleen.
g. Flukes: The tail.
h. Flippers: The fins on the side.
i. Genital Slit: The reproductive organ of a female cetacean.
j. Median Notch: The notch in the middle of the trailing edge of the fluke.
k. Peduncle: The part of the body that to which the fluke is attached.

8. Be able to identify at least fifteen Cetaceans.

References

Notes

This honor is very similar to Marine Mammals. Why not teach them both at the same time?

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ==1. In what way is the Cetaceans family different to most other sea life?==
 Unlike most sea creatures, Cetaceans are warm blooded.  They are all mammals too, which means they give birth to live young, nourish them with milk, and breathe air.
+Another way to tell a cetacean from a fish is by the shape of the tail. The tail of a fish is vertical and moves from side to side when the fish swims. The tail of a cetacean – called a "fluke" – is horizontal and moves up and down.
 ==2. Explain the difference between Baleen and Toothed Whales.==