bc

Here are a few whale facts:The smallest is the Dolphin Whale measuring 120cm, the largest is the Blue Whale with a record length for a cow recorded at 3460 cm.The Sperm Whale can remain submerged for 40 minutes. Whales spend 6 months at the Poles and 6 months in warmer oceans where they calve because the calf has not developed its blubber layer yet.Only one calf is born every second year.The Blue Whale calf can be 700cm long and weigh up to 20 000kg, average 9 000kg. The calf suckles under the water and can drink up to 1 000 liters of milk a day.There are 2 sub-prders: the baleen and the toothed whales. The Baleen whales (Fin, Rorquals, Blue, Humpbacked, Greenland, Southern and Pigmy Right Whales) have baleen or whalebone like strainers in their mouths that strain the water and retain their food.The Sperm, Killer, Beaked and Dolphin Whales have teeth. The Pilot Whale habitually accompanies ships.Whales are sociable and like to travel in groups called podsThe Sperm Whale feeds mainly on octopi and squids. The indigestible beaks of their prey ball together and form ambergris. This is foul-smelling, but is the best ingredient for binding perfumes. It is sometimes washed ashore, but generally removed from the whale when slaughtered (something perfume-users should think about).The Sperm Whale also is the only source of an oil called "spermaticeti". This oil sets at ordinary temperatures and plays an important role in enabling the whale to dive to great depths and emerge again without getting the "bends".Have you stroked your pet whale today?

beanweed5150

yes

be

I've been to Hermanus a couple of weeks ago and watched whales mating. It was very nice. It would have been nicer if I knew that my friend didn't care at all about whales. All she did was complaining that she was hungry and that she forgot her lighter. So she kept running around and asking people for a light. She did not take one look at the whales....

beatjugglez0165

Cakes...we have had one of the most severe floods in recent years.....one of our beautiful spots to watch whales, called Look-Out has been washed away.......the Look-Out beach (it attained Blue Flag some years back and lost the status two years ago when a big portion was destroyed.... has now been totally washed away)......but there's still other attractive spots to whatch whales here in Plett......

beanweed5150

I used to watch them at Fisch Hoek, should be about time now. Does anyone still go to the Brass Bell out that way?

BeachGal

There is a place near Port Alfred. A little town called Kid's Beach. Its a whale and wildlife conservation area. We went in November and there were whales and dolphins almost everymoring while we had breakfast at the beach restuarant

BeachBum3012

Very interesting thanks Cakes but lol no i would love to swim with dolphins - they are smaller and cute as well