Ocean CreaturesAugust 2010
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Ocean Creatures

by Carol Georgi, Volunteer
    Sierra Club          Slo Surf Rider          Save Our Seas


Hello Ocean Lovers!       Every Other Breath is From the Ocean
Here is a critter from our San Luis Obispo County coastal waters for you to enjoy!
Thank you for your interest in the Central Coast Extension of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 

Blue Whale Skull
Blue Whale Skull

Krill
Krill

Seven endangered species of whale, the gray whale, the humpback whale, the blue whale, the fin whale, the right whale, the sei whale, and the sperm whale may be found in the California central coast area. The entire population of gray whales in the eastern Pacific migrates through the area twice each year, as does half the northern Pacific population of humpback whales. This summer, due to the abundance of krill, many whales can be seen in the Monterey Bay.

According to Matt Weiser, Sacramento Bee

Many species of whales, including Blue whales ( the biggest creature ever to roam the earth) are in Monterey Bay
to feed on huge blooms of krill, a tiny shrimp that is their main food that is in abundance this summer. 

Krill is an important food source that feeds on plankton. Blue whales are an endangered species numbering only about 2,000 in the Pacific and 8,000 worldwide. The krill sustain the whales along their migration route from Mexico to Alaska. Krill are a good example of how important one food source can be.

According to Wikipedia, Whales surface periodically to exhale carbon dioxide and inhale oxygen. During diving, a muscular action closes the blowholes (nostrils), which remain closed until surfacing, the muscles open the blowholes and warm air is exhaled and  condenses as it meets colder external air.  A small cloud of 'steam' appears. This is called the 'blow' or 'spout' and varies by species in terms of shape, angle and height, allowing species to be identified at a distance using this characteristic.


A Whaley Great Week 
Source: montereybayaquarium.typepad.com 

Images of krill and blue whale skull via wikipedia

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