Marine Mammals

People all across the world are fascinated by and drawn to marine mammals including dolphins, whales, sea otters, and others. Many of these marine species have sophisticated social structures and are extremely intelligent.

There are 38 common types of marine mammals. Lets get to know them.

Bearded Seal

The bearded seal is one of four Arctic seal species that live in the Arctic Ocean, as well as Alaska's Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. The bearded seal is related to the grey seal and harp seal as members of the "true seal" family. The thick, white whiskers along the snout resemble a "beard," which gives this pinniped its common name.

Beluga Whale

The beluga whale is a toothed whale that is brown-gray at birth and bright white as an adult. The beluga is one of only two species in the family of "white whales," the other being the narwhal. Because they are closely related and lack the males' distinctive tusk, juvenile and female narwhals can be mistaken for belugas.

Blue Whale

The blue whale is the largest animal that has ever lived on Earth. These animals are only slightly smaller than the United States Space Shuttle, reaching lengths of at least 110 feet (33 metres) and weighing 209 tonnes. Their enormous size can only be explained by their aquatic lifestyles and the buoyancy provided by seawater. An animal the size of a blue whale would almost certainly be crushed by its own weight on land.

Bowhead Whale

Bowhead whales, a large species of baleen whale that feeds on small organisms like plankton, live in the frigid waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists can only see these mysterious whales when they break through sea ice with their enormous heads. Because they lack dorsal fins, these whales are frequently only visible as two dark grey bumps poking out of the water.

California Sea Lion

California sea lions are social and intelligent pinnipeds. They can be found in large groups in coastal waters and on rocks, beaches, piers, and docks from Canada to Costa Rica. California sea lions are members of the "eared seals" family, and unlike earless seals, they have large flippers that they use to walk on land.

Common Bottlenose Dolphin

The common bottlenose dolphin is one of the most frequently seen dolphins in coastal waters worldwide. It has large populations offshore as well, but it is not as common as other open water dolphins like the short-beaked common dolphin and others.

Dugong

The dugong is a sea cow that lives in the warm latitudes of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. It is the only member of the Dugongidae family, and the manatees are its closest living relatives. Dugongs can grow to be quite large, with lengths exceeding 13 feet (4 metres) and weights exceeding one metric tonne.

False Killer Whale

False killer whales are large members of the dolphin family, and their skull shape is similar to that of killer whales. False killer whales' scientific name means "thick-tooth," referring to their pointed teeth and fierce, predatory behaviour in the open seas.

Fin Whale

The fin whale is the second largest animal to have ever lived on Earth. This species, with lengths of at least 85 feet (26 m) and weights of 80 tonnes, is second only to its close relative, the blue whale. Their enormous size can only be explained by their aquatic lifestyles and the buoyancy provided by seawater. A large animal like the fin whale would almost certainly be crushed by its own weight on land.

Gray Seal

Gray seals are large, charismatic seals found along the North Atlantic Ocean's shores. They are members of the "true seal" family, which means they lack external ear flaps and move along the sand by flopping on their bellies. The scientific name for the grey seal does not refer to its colour, but rather to "hook-nosed sea pig," a reference to the males' large, arched snouts.

Gray Whale

Historically, the grey whale lived in both the north Pacific and north Atlantic oceans, but it now only lives in the Pacific. They live in relatively shallow waters off the coasts of western North America and eastern Asia. Interestingly, though grey whales are grey, they were scientifically described by a man named John Edward Gray, so the common name may be intended to honour him.

Guadalupe Fur Seal

The Guadalupe fur seal, like sea lions, is a member of the "eared seal" family. The range of the Guadalupe fur seal is centred on their preferred mating grounds, Guadalupe Island and, more recently, the San Benito Islands. They are the most endangered fur seal species and were once thought to be extinct.

Harbor Seal

Harbor seals are one of the most common pinnipeds on the planet. Harbor seals can be found in coastal waters and on beaches, mudflats, rocks, and glacial ice along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, Europe, and Asia when they are not foraging at sea.

Harp Seal

The harp seal is a true seal that lives in the north Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, often associated with sea ice. The harp-shaped markings on the back of the otherwise darkly coloured adults give this species its common name. Puppies are all white when they are young. This species is highly migratory, with individuals following the expansion and contraction of Arctic sea ice throughout the year.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian monk seal is a true seal that lives primarily in the uninhabited northwest Hawaiian Islands, with only a few individuals found in the main Hawaiian chain. The Hawaiian monk seal, like all seals, feeds in the ocean but mates, gives birth to pups, and rests on land. Monk seals, on the other hand, prefer to live a somewhat solitary lifestyle rather than form large breeding/pupping rookeries. Beaches and rocky shores are popular pupping grounds for Hawaiian monk seals.

Hourglass Dolphin

The hourglass dolphin, not to be confused with the killer whale, is distinguished by black and white markings across its body that form a "cross-bearing" or hourglass pattern. Hourglass dolphins swim in the cold waters surrounding Antarctica, where few other cetaceans venture. This species can survive in temperatures as low as -0.3 degrees Celsius, or about 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of their icy range and distinctive colouring, researchers rarely misidentify hourglass dolphins.

Humpback Whale

The humpback whale is a charismatic species of large whale that lives from Antarctica to the Arctic (except under sea ice) and from the coast to the open ocean. The humpback whale is one of the world's largest animals, reaching lengths of more than 50 feet (16 metres) and weights of 40 tonnes (36 metric tonnes). This incredible size is only possible due to the aquatic lifestyle of this species and the buoyancy provided by seawater. An animal the size of a humpback whale would almost certainly be crushed by its own weight on land.

Juan Fernandez Fur Seal

The Juan Fernandez fur seal is the largest predator on the coral and rocky reefs of the Juan Fernandez Islands and other Chilean islands. The Juan Fernandez fur seal, like all seals, feeds in the ocean but mates, gives birth to pups, and rests on land.

Leopard Seal

Leopard seals are true seals, and their name comes from the spots on their fur. This species is well-known for being a top predator at the Antarctic ice edge. Though the leopard seal is not the largest seal in its range (the southern elephant seal is much larger), its willingness to attack large prey has earned it a reputation as a very aggressive hunter and excellent swimmer. Leopard seals spend their time on the ice surface resting or caring for their young, and they rarely attempt to catch prey when they are not in the water.

Long-finned Pilot Whale

The long-finned pilot whale is one of two pilot whale species that form large pods in the open ocean. The common name comes from their habit of following a leader or "pilot" when travelling long distances. The two pilot whale species are actually dolphins, not whales, and they are two of the largest dolphin species, with only the killer whale growing larger.

Marine Otter

The marine otter is a charismatic marine mammal that lives along South America's Pacific coast. The marine otter is one of only two weasel species that spends time in the ocean; however, unlike the sea otter, which spends its entire life in the ocean, the marine otter lives on land, feeds along rocky shores, and only makes short trips into the water to hunt. Despite the fact that they both live in the sea, marine otters are more closely related to the three species of American river otters than to sea otters, indicating that the coastal/marine lifestyle evolved twice in the weasel family.

Minke Whale

Minke whales (pronounced mink-ee) are members of the baleen whale family, which is named after the distinctive plates of baleen that hang from their jaws and act as a strainer while they feed. Minke whales are the smallest members of the "great whale" family, despite their large size. Their common name is derived from a Norwegian sailor named Meincke, who was said to have misidentified a minke whale as a much larger blue whale.

Narwhal

The adult male narwhal is an unmistakable creature. It is unlike any other marine mammal in its range or anywhere in the world due to its long tusk. The tusk is one of two teeth in the upper jaw and is only fully developed (over 6 feet/2 m) in sexually mature males. It is used to attract females and to defend against other males. When males are about a year old, the tusk begins to form. Adult narwhals can grow to be 14-15 feet long (not including the tusk) (4 m).

North Atlantic Right Whale

Unfortunately, the North Atlantic right whale was named by the whaling industry because it was the "right whale" to hunt. It was simple to harpoon, and it floated after death, whereas other species sank. Because of these characteristics, this species was hunted to near extinction, and it is still struggling to recover 65 years after hunting of North Atlantic right whales ceased.

Orca

The orca, one of the ocean's most iconic symbols, is a charismatic species with the second-largest geographic distribution after humans. Orcas can be found in all latitudes and oceans, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. The killer whale, with its well-known tall dorsal fin and distinctive black and white colour pattern, has been known to coastal peoples for thousands of years and is one of the more recognisable species today.

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

The pantropical spotted dolphin is an open ocean dolphin that is spotted and gets its name from the fact that it lives in all of the world's oceans' tropical latitudes. It frequently associates with other dolphin species (particularly the spinner dolphin) and, in some areas, with large bony fishes. It is an active species that has been observed leaping from the water repeatedly while travelling at high speeds, either tracking prey or simply playing. There are several recognised subspecies, which differ significantly in shape and size.

Polar Bear

The polar bear is the Arctic's largest terrestrial predator, but it is equally dangerous on land, ice, and water. It is closely related to and possibly a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). However, due to its Arctic, semi-aquatic lifestyle, it is anatomically distinct from the brown bear. One of the polar bear's adaptations is its enormous feet, which are useful for walking across snow and swimming. The kodiak bear, a subspecies of the brown bear, is the only bear that grows to larger sizes. Adult male polar bears can weigh up to 1500 pounds (700 kg).

Ringed Seal

The ringed seal is a true seal that gets its name from the silver rings that appear on its otherwise dark coat. This seal is smaller than most, reaching lengths of only about 5 feet (1.5 m) and weighing 110-150 pounds (50-70 kg). It is the smallest seal species in the Arctic, but it is also the most common seal species there.

Risso’s Dolphin

The Risso's dolphin is a species of dolphin that lives in the open ocean at depths of at least 1500-3300 feet (450-1000 m). Though they are born greyish brown, scarring on their heads and bodies causes them to appear almost completely white by the time they reach adulthood. This dolphin is quite large, reaching lengths of more than 13 feet (4 metres) and weights of up to 1100 pounds (500 kg). Only a few species in the dolphin family can grow to be as large as the Risso's dolphin (e.g., killer whale, long-finned pilot whale, etc.).

Sea Otter

The sea otter is a charismatic marine mammal found in the north Pacific Ocean and one of the largest weasel species. It is also the only species in that family that spends its entire life in the sea, preferring rocky beaches and kelp forests.

Short-beaked Common Dolphin

For many years, the short-beaked common dolphin was simply referred to as the "common dolphin." Several new species were proposed, but scientists consistently agreed that there was only one. However, researchers recently gathered enough evidence to split the species into long-beaked and short-beaked species, and the original scientific name (Delphinus delphis) was retained for the short-beaked common dolphin. This dolphin has a stunning colour pattern, with multiple colour bands running down its sides: dark grey to black on top, light grey on the belly, yellowish brown and light grey patches on the sides, and a black "mask" connecting the eye to the snout. Adults can grow to be 7.5-8.5 feet (2-2.5 m) long and weigh more than 440 pounds (200 kilos).

Southern Elephant Seal

The southern elephant seal is a true seal, as well as the world's largest pinniped (seal or sea lion) and carnivoran (hairy carnivore). Adult males are six times the size of polar bears and nearly twice the size of the next largest seal (the northern elephant seal). Males can grow to be nearly 20 feet (6 metres) long and weigh more than 8000 pounds (3700 kg). Females are much smaller, and males are much larger as a result of their territoriality and habit of forming harems of several females with whom they have sole mating rights.

Sperm Whale

The world's largest toothed whale is the sperm whale, and the only animals larger than adult male sperm whales (more than 50 feet long [more than 16 metres] and more than 45 tonnes [40 tonnes]) are the largest baleen whales. Sperm whales, unlike baleen whales, are active predators that specialise in large squids in the deep sea but also eat large bony fish and sharks.

Spinner Dolphin

The spinner dolphin gets its name from its habit of leaping from the water and spinning quickly before splashing down. Individuals will sometimes leap repeatedly, up to seven times in a row. This species lives in the open ocean and frequently associates with other dolphin species as well as large bony fishes. Spinner dolphins are small for the dolphin family, reaching lengths of about seven feet (2 metres) and weighing only about 170 pounds (77 kg).

Steller Sea Lion

Steller sea lions are large predators that live on the cold, north Pacific Ocean's rocky shores and beaches. The steller sea lion, like all seals and sea lions, feeds in the ocean but mates, gives birth to pups, and rests on land. It prefers rocky shores and gravel beaches for pupping. Sea lions are not true seals, but are related to fur seals and are collectively known as "eared seals." The steller sea lion is the largest sea lion and the largest of all eared seals, with males weighing more than 2200 pounds (1000 kg) and measuring more than 10 feet (3 m) in length.

Vaquita

The Vaquita is a small harbour porpoise that lives in a very small area of the Gulf of California in Mexico. It is the world's smallest known cetacean (whale, dolphin, or porpoise), reaching lengths of only 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) and weights of less than 100 pounds (45 kg). Furthermore, unlike most dolphins, the Vaquita has a nearly invisible beak. Vaquitas reach sexual maturity relatively quickly and begin reproducing at the age of 3-6 years.

Walrus

The walrus is a charismatic species of the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas, distinguished by the enormous size of its ivory tusks. There have been many similar species throughout evolutionary history, but the walrus is the only survivor in the family. True seals and eared seals are the walrus' closest relatives; all of these groups are referred to as pinnipeds. The walrus is one of the largest pinnipeds, with males weighing up to 4400 pounds (2000 kg).

West Indian Manatee

The West Indian manatee is one of three remaining manatees and four sea cows (along with the dugong). This species lives in the western Atlantic Ocean's warm waters, and in addition to spending the majority of its time in shallow coastal seas, it occasionally enters freshwater - particularly warm springs - where it spends some of the colder winter months.

168 Facts About Sea Mammals

Bearded seals are the largest species of seal in the Arctic, reaching a maximum length of 8 feet (2.4 m) and weighing 950 pounds (432 kg).
Bearded seals have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years.
Bearded seal pups can swim and dive up to 656 feet (200 m) within hours of being born.
Bearded seals are extremely vocal, capable of producing "trill" sounds that can be heard from up to 12 miles away and can last up to 3 minutes.
Bearded seals prefer shallow water foraging, but have been spotted at depths of up to 1,600 feet (488 m).
Bearded seals get their name from their long, white whiskers, which look like a beard.
Bearded seals sleep in the ocean vertically, with their heads just above the surface.
Beluga whales can reach a length of 16 feet (4.8 metres) and weigh 3,150 pounds (1.4 metric tonnes) on average.
Beluga whales have a lifespan of up to 50 years.
Beluga whales are born dark grey and gradually lighten as they grow older, eventually becoming white when they reach sexual maturity.
Beluga whales can dive more than 3,280 feet (1,000 metres) and stay submerged for up to 25 minutes.
Beluga whales inhabit Arctic waters and occasionally venture into freshwater rivers.
Each summer, Beluga whales shed their skin by rubbing against coarse gravel.
Beluga whales, unlike other whales, do not have fused neck vertebrae, allowing them to move their heads up, down, and side to side.
Beluga whales have bulbous, flexible foreheads known as "melons," which aid in sound production and facial expressions.
Beluga whales are known as the "canaries of the sea" because they make a variety of sounds such as clicks, whistles, chirps, and squeals.
Blue whales are the world's largest animals, reaching maximum lengths of 110 (33.5 m) feet and weights of 330,000 pounds (150 metric tons).
Blue whales can live for an average of 80 to 90 years.
Blue whales are the world's loudest animals, with sounds that can be heard by other blue whales up to 1,000 miles away.
In a single day, blue whales can consume up to 12,000 pounds (5.4 metric tonnes) of krill.
Blue whales can swim up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts and average 5 miles per hour.
Bowhead whales can reach heights of 60 feet (18.3 metres) and weights of 200,000 pounds (91 tons).
Bowhead whales have the thickest blubber of any whale species, measuring between 17 and 19 inches (43 and 48 cm).
Bowhead whales require approximately 220,000 pounds (100 tonnes) of food per year.
Bowhead whales use their large heads to pierce sea ice that can be as thick as 2 feet (0.6 m).
Bowhead whales can swim up to 13 miles per hour (21 kilometres per hour), but they typically swim at only 2 to 4 miles per hour (3 to 6 kilometres per hour).
Bowhead whales may be the world's oldest mammals. According to research, they could live to be 200 years old.
Bowhead whales have the world's longest baleen plates. They can grow to be up to 13 feet (4 metres) long.
California sea lions can grow to be 8.4 feet (2.5 metres) long and weigh 1,153 pounds (523 kg).
Male California sea lions have been observed living for at least 19 years, while females live for approximately 25 years.
California sea lions are the fastest of all seals and sea lions, reaching speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (40 kmph).
California sea lions can dive for up to ten minutes at a time.
California sea lions are known for "rafting," a resting technique in which they lay motionless with their flippers above the surface for an extended period of time.
California sea lions are known to be very playful and have been seen body surfing.
California sea lions are the only sea lion species whose population is currently increasing.
Common bottlenose dolphins can reach lengths of 13 feet (4 metres) and weights of 1,300 pounds (590 kg).
Bottlenose dolphins can live for 40 to 60 years.
After a 12-month gestation period, female bottlenose dolphins give birth to a calf every 3 to 6 years.
Common bottlenose dolphins typically travel alone or in groups of 12 or fewer, but herds of hundreds of dolphins have been spotted.
Common bottlenose dolphins can reach speeds of less than 12 miles per hour (19 kph).
Common bottlenose dolphins consume 13-15 pounds (6-7 kg) of food per day, ranging from fish to squid and shrimp.
Common bottlenose dolphins develop individualised whistles to communicate with others about their location, condition, and identity.
Dugongs can reach a maximum length of 13 feet (4 metres) and a weight of 595 pounds (270 kg).
Dugongs have a lifespan of up to 70 years.
Dugongs are known as sea cows because they graze on sea grasses that they uproot from the seafloor with their powerful, cleft upper lips.
Dugongs are sirenians, which means they are related to manatees. Despite their resemblance to cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), dugongs and manatees are thought to be descendants of land mammals, placing them closer to elephants than whales.
Dugongs are found only in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, from east Africa to the Red Sea and Australia.
False killer whales can reach lengths of 20 feet (6 metres) and weights of 3,000 pounds (1.3 tons).
Female false killer whales live longer than males, reaching a maximum age of 63 compared to 58 for males.
False killer whales hunt at night and occasionally share their prey with other pod members.
False killer whales are expert divers who prefer deep waters of around 15,420 feet (4,700 metres).
False killer whales are known to feed on prey caught in fishing lines, such as smaller dolphins and tuna.
Fin whales are the second largest whale species, reaching lengths of 85 feet (26 metres) and weighing 160,000 pounds (72.3 metric tons).
Fin whales have a lifespan of 80 to 90 years.
Fin whales have accordion-like throats that allow them to consume up to 4,000 pounds of food (1.8 metric tonnes) per day.
Fin whales get their name from their prominent, hooked dorsal fins, which are located near their tails.
Fin whales are the fastest of all great whales, with speeds of up to 23 miles per hour (23 kmph).
Gray seals can grow to be 10 feet (3 metres) long and 880 pounds in weight (400 kg).
Gray seals have a life span of 25 to 35 years.
Male grey seals are black with grey spots, while females are grey with black spots.
The scientific name for the grey seal, Halichoerus grypus, translates to "hooked-nosed pig of the sea," referring to the male's distinctive, horse-shaped nose.
Gray seals can dive underwater for up to 30 minutes.
Gray seals typically dive in shallow waters, but in some areas, they have been recorded diving as deep as 1,352 feet (412 m).
Gray seals can spend up to two days foraging for food at sea.
Male Guadalupe fur seals can grow to be 7 feet (2.1 m) long and weigh 400 pounds (181 kg), while females are much smaller, reaching a maximum length of 5 feet (1.5 m) and weighing 110 pounds (50 kg).
Guadalupe fur seals dive to a maximum depth of 250 feet in shallow waters (76 m).
Polygynous Guadalupe fur seals exist. Males defend their territory, which can house up to 12 females, from other males.
After two centuries of heavy hunting, Guadalupe fur seals were thought to be extinct in the early 1900s before being rediscovered breeding in a cave in 1954.
Guadalupe fur seals spend an average of 14 days at sea foraging, travelling approximately 276 miles (444 km) to reach feeding grounds.
Harbor seals can be found in both freshwater rivers and lakes and in saltwater.
Harbor seals are classified into five subspecies: Eastern Pacific harbour seals, Western Pacific harbour seals, Eastern Atlantic harbour seals, Western Atlantic harbour seals, and Seal Lake harbour seals.
When harbour seal pups are 2 to 3 days old, they can dive for up to 2 minutes.
Harbor seals are thought to be the quietest of all pinnipeds. Harbor seals, unlike their California sea lion neighbours, rarely make noise unless they are disturbed by another being in their personal space.
Harbor seals can grow to be 6.6 feet (2 metres) long and 375 pounds in weight (170 kg).
Every day, harbour seals consume 5 to 6% of their body weight in food.
Harbor seals forage for food for up to 85 percent of the time.
Harp seals can reach 6 feet (1.8 metres) in length and weigh up to 300 pounds (136 kg).
Harp seals can live for up to 30 years.
Harp seal pups are born with long white fur that allows them to absorb sunlight and stay warm while their blubber develops. Puppies lose their white fur after three to four weeks.
Harp seals are extremely migratory, travelling more than 3,100 miles (4,989 km) roundtrip to feed.
Harp seals have the ability to stay underwater for at least 16 minutes at a time.
Seals with harps Harp seals get their name from a curved, black patch on their backs that resembles a harp.
Harp seals eat at least 67 different types of fish and 70 different types of invertebrates.
Harp seals prefer shallow water but can dive up to 1,312 feet deep (400 m).
Harp seals are the most numerous pinniped (seals, sea lions, and walruses) species in the northern hemisphere.
Hawaiian monk seals can grow to be 7 feet (2.1 metres) long and weigh 600 pounds (272 kg).
Hawaiian monk seals have a life expectancy of at least 30 years.
Hawaiian monk seals are found only in the Hawaiian Islands and on Johnston Atoll, which is located nearly 1,000 miles southwest of Hawaii.
Every year, Hawaiian monk seals shed their top layer of fur in a rapid process known as a "catastrophic moult."
Hawaiian monk seals can stay submerged for up to 20 minutes.
Hawaiian monk seals can dive to depths of more than 1,804 feet (550 metres), but they prefer to swim in shallow waters of 200 feet (61 metres) or less.
Hawaiian monk seals can be found sleeping on beaches and underwater in caves for days at a time.
Hourglass dolphins get their name from the hourglass-shaped white markings on their sides.
Bow riding (leaping through waves) in front of ships and whales is a common behaviour of hourglass dolphins.
Hourglass dolphins have been seen in groups of up to 100 dolphins, but they prefer to stay in smaller groups of 8 dolphins.
Hourglass dolphins reach a maximum known length of 6 feet (1.8 m).
The only small dolphin species found in Antarctic waters is the hourglass dolphin.
Humpback whales can reach lengths of 60 feet (18.3 metres) and weights of 80,000 pounds (36.3 metric tons).
Humpback whales have a lifespan of 80 to 90 years.
Humpback whales have some of the longest migrations of any mammal, swimming 5,000 miles (8,047 km) between breeding and feeding grounds in some populations. People who migrate between Alaska and Hawaii can complete the 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) journey in just 36 days.
Every day, humpback whales consume up to 3,000 pounds (1.4 metric tonnes) of food, which includes krill and small fish.
Male humpback whales produce and sing songs that can be heard for up to 20 miles.
Humpback whales get their name from the distinct hump on their backs.
Humpback whales are visible breaching out of the water, slapping the surface with their fins and tails, and twirling underwater.
Humpback whale tails can be up to 18 feet wide (5.5 m).
Humpback whales' scientific name, Megaptera, translates to "big-winged" due to their long pectoral fins.
Minke whales are the smallest of the "great whales," reaching 35 feet (10.6 metres) in length and weighing up to 20,000 pounds (9 tons).
Dwarf minke whales can reach lengths of 26 feet (8 metres) and weights of 14,000 pounds (6.3 tons).
Minke whales are named after Meincke, a Norwegian whaling spotter who allegedly mistook a minke for a blue whale.
Minke whales can stay submerged for at least 15 minutes before surfacing for air.
Minke whales can live for 50 years.
Narwhals can grow to be 18 feet (5.5 metres) long and weigh 3,530 pounds (1.6 metric tons).
Narwhals are toothed whales, but they differ from other toothed whale species in that they do not have teeth in their mouths.
Male narwhals have an ivory, spiralized tooth (also known as a "tusk") that protrudes up to 9.8 feet (3 metres) from their mouths.
Narwhal tusks are used by males in the pod to establish dominance.
Narwhals are one of the deepest-diving marine mammals, capable of diving more than 5,905 feet (1,800 m).
Narwhals live in arctic waters that are frozen and dark for half of the year.
Monodon Monoceros, the scientific name for narwhals, means "one tooth, one horn."
North Atlantic right whales can reach lengths of 52 feet (15.8 metres) and weigh up to 140,000 pounds (63.5 metric tons).
Right whales in the North Atlantic can live for up to 70 years. After they have died, researchers use their ear wax to determine their age.
Callosities are rough, white patches on the heads of North Atlantic right whales that are unique to each individual.
North Atlantic right whales travel over 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometres) between calving grounds in the United States' Southeast and feeding grounds in the United States' Northeast and Canada.
Surface-active groups of North Atlantic right whales socialise at the water's surface. They can also be seen breaching and slapping their tails and flippers at the surface on a regular basis.
Orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family, reaching lengths of 32 feet (9.8 metres) and weighing up to 22,000 pounds (10 metric tons).
Male orcas can live for up to 60 years, while females can live for up to 90 years.
Orcas are the most common cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and can be found in all oceans.
Orcas form social groups of 3 to 20 members that tend to stick together across generations.
Orcas pass down specific communication and hunting skills to younger members, allowing one pod's culture to be distinguished from another.
Female orcas are one of only three species that experience menopause, along with short-finned pilot whales and humans.
Orcas eat everything from salmon to seals, whales, and squid, making them the most diverse of all cetaceans.
Polar bears are the world's largest bear species, reaching a maximum length of 8.5 feet (260 cm) and a weight of 1,543 pounds (700 kg), with males growing approximately twice as large as females.
Polar bears give birth to one to three cubs at a time, but the majority of the time, twins weighing only 1.3 pounds are born (0.6 kg).
Polar bears have two layers of fur covering their black skin. The hollow, outer fur layer is nearly 6 inches (15 cm) long and reflects light, giving it the appearance of being white.
Polar bears that are pregnant build dens where they give birth and care for their cubs for the first few months of their lives. During this time, the mother does not feed and can go up to 8 months without food, the longest period of any mammal.
Polar bears are the most carnivorous bear species, primarily feeding on ringed and bearded seals.
Sea otters can grow to be 4.9 feet (1.5 metres) long and weigh 100 pounds (45 kg).
With up to 1 million hairs per square inch, sea otters have the densest fur of any mammal.
Sea otters, unlike other marine mammals, lack blubber and fat to keep them warm. Instead, they use two layers of fur to keep warm: the bottom layer traps air, while the top layer protects the air and keeps the sea otters buoyant.
Every day, sea otters consume 25% of their body weight in sea urchins, crabs, clams, snails, and other invertebrates.
Sea otters use rocks to sever their prey in as little as 45 blows in 15 seconds.
The deepest recorded sea otter dive was 318 feet (97 m) deep, and the longest recorded sea otter dive was 4 minutes.
Male sea otters can live up to 15 years longer than females.
Sperm whales are the largest of all toothed whales, reaching lengths of 52 feet (15.8 meters) and weights of 90,000 pounds (40 metric tons), with males growing much larger than females.
Sperm whales live for up to 60 years.
Sperm whales have one of the most diverse ranges of any marine mammal, ranging from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
Sperm whales are named after the spermaceti, a waxy substance found on their heads that was used in oil lamps and candles.
Sperm whales are distinguished by their large heads, which account for one-third of their total body length.
Sperm whales can dive for up to 60 minutes at a time.
Sperm whales can dive to depths of more than 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) in search of prey such as squid, sharks, and fish.
Every day, sperm whales consume up to 3.5 percent of their body weight in food.
Female sperm whales form long-lasting bonds with other females in their family and form social groups based on these bonds. Males, on the other hand, leave their matriarchal groups between the ages of four and twenty-one to attend "bachelor schools," eventually leading solitary lives in their later years.
Spinner dolphins can reach 7 feet (2.1 meters) in length and weigh up to 170 pounds (77 kg).
Spinner dolphins have a lifespan of 20 years.
Spinner dolphins are known for spinning their bodies in the air up to seven times at a time.
Spinner dolphins spin for a variety of reasons, according to researchers, including shaking off remoras and parasites, indicating location and direction, displaying dominance, courtship, and possibly just for fun.
Spinner dolphins can reach heights of 9.8 feet (3 meters) above the water.
Walruses are extremely social animals that congregate in small to large groups ranging from a few to thousands.
Walruses are found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of the world, close to the North Pole. They can be found in the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Arctic Ocean.
Male and female walruses have large tusks that set them apart from other marine mammals.
Walruses are marine mammals that can swim in the ocean as well as walk on land and sea ice.
Walruses primarily consume mollusks, but they also consume worms, snails, soft shell crabs, shrimp, and sea cucumbers.
West Indian manatees can weigh up to 1,200 pounds (544 kg) and grow to be about 10 feet (3 meters) long.
Every day, West Indian manatees consume 15% of their body weight in sea grass and vegetation. This can amount to up to 150 pounds of food per day.
West Indian manatees migrate to warmer waters in the winter because temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit are lethal.
West Indian manatees are known to occasionally enter freshwater rivers and springs.
West Indian manatees sleep for 10 to 12 hours per day.
West Indian manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes underwater, but they must surface for air every few minutes.
West Indian manatees swim at a speed of 3 to 5 miles per hour on average (4.8-8 km per hour).

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