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Contrary to popular opinion, marine animals aren’t all ferocious and dangerous; it would interest you to know that many of them are fun-loving and adorable. Marine mammals are a different bread of animals because they exhibit different characteristics, separating them from other sea animals. For instance, they have mammary glands, breathing lungs, and even hair, which are somewhat adaptive features that can also be found in terrestrial animals.
While there is so much talk of marine animals with unique physiology and behaviors, it will be good to have a list of interesting mammals in the world’s oceans today. In this article, you will see the top 10 interesting marine mammals with information on their habitat, features, and association.
Read on the 10 smallest ocean animals here.
Top 10 Interesting World Marine Mammals
See the top 10 world’s most interesting marine mammals below.
Leopard Seal
Leopard Seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is a predator with one of the least concerns as regards population. It has a global population of 18,000 and can be found in South Georgia, McDonald Island, Antarctica, French Southern Territory, Heard Island, and South Sandwich Islands.
This mammal is one of the fastest predators, and it feeds on other seals and penguins and fish. Some of its body modifications include strong jaws with long teeth and black spotted coat skin to catch prey and conceal identity. Due to its speed and ability to live on both land and water, it is regarded as one of the top mammals with full adaptative features.
Narwhal
Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) is another interesting marine mammal found in Canada, Russia, Svalbard, Greenland, and Jan Mayen. It is also called “Unicorns of the Sea.” Currently, it has a global population of over 120,000 with little or no threat.
Narwhal is a slow mammal with a speed of 4mph. This animal is identified by its 2.7m spiral sword-like tusk, giving it a funny look. This tusk is, however used in mating rituals with more prominence in males than females.
Narwhal moves in a group of 15 to 20 and feeds on shrimps, squids, and fish.
Blue Whale
If you’d list the world’s top interesting and incredible mammal, the Blue Whale’s got to be one. It is one of the largest animals in the world and can grow up to 100ft in length. It would interest you to know that this whale has a heart that weighs so much as a car and a tongue heavier than an elephant.
Blue Whales (Balaenoptera muscula) has a fast speed, i.e., 31mph, and can be found in Eastern tropical & South Pacific, Indian Ocean, North Pacific, Southwestern Pacific, Southern Ocean, Antarctic, and North Atlantic. They feed on Krills and Copepodes. Unfortunately, they are endangered, with a global population between 5,000 to 15,000.
Amazon River Dolphin
Amazon River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) has always been a pleasant sight for tourists visiting Peru, and other parts of the world like Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. This mammal prefers freshwater and feeds on crabs, shrimp, and fish.
One fantastic fact about this mammal is that it has pink colored body for reproduction. However, the pink color varies from one gender to the other – the males are pinker than the females. The Amazon River Dolphin is another endangered species with a global population of 13,000.
Dugong
Dugong (Dugong dugon) share certain similarities with land Elephant, making them interesting to watch. It is a vegetarian animal, which means it feeds on seagrass and marine algae. It can be found on the coastline of Indonesia, East Africa, South Asia, and Northern Australia.
The Dugong is another slow mammal that moves at a speed of 6 mph. It is a vulnerable mammal with threats from hunting and human disturbance.
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Out of all the long list of marine creatures on the planet, Cuvier’s Beaked Whales is one with the deepest and longest dives. It is a marine mammal that can go as far as 6,230 feet for as long as 85 minutes. It feeds on fish, and shrimps.
Unfortunately, the Cuvier’s Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris) is not the finest of animals, but it has a dense body capable of withstanding water pressure.
Vaquita
Vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is another world’s most interesting marine mammal known for its small size (it is the smallest cetacean). It is found in Baja California, Mexico, and is known to feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans. It is a slow animal that moves at a speed of 2.5 mph.
Vaquitas are on the verge of extinction, with only a global population of between 15 to 18 species.
Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), also called the “Big Wing of New England” is known for its uniquely large pectoral fins. It is found in all open oceans of the world, and feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and planktons.
An incredible fact about this mammal is that it dives down into the ocean with its back like a hump. It also makes great jumps, which is quite a sight to watch. However, it is one of the animals with the least concerns about endangerment, with a global population of over 80,000.
False Killer Whale
False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens) is a similar mammal to the Orca Whale, only that it has a dark grey body color. It is another predator that feeds on fish and squid. It can be found in tropical and subtropical oceans in countries like Croatia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and other parts of Europe.
The False Killer Whale also moves fast at a speed of 18 mph.
Long-finned Pilot Whale
Another species in the whale family is the Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas). It is an interesting mammal and the third-largest in the Delphinidae family. It is a social animal with good swimming formation and abilities.
Conclusion
With this article, you should have a different perception of marine mammals and contribute to a stable ecosystem. More importantly, everyone should put so much effort into conserving these species of animals, as their existence is threatened every day.