What it is:
* Baleen is made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails.
* It forms plates that hang from the whale's upper jaw, resembling a comb or curtain.
* These plates are flexible and fringed at the edges, creating a dense, bristly structure.
How it works:
1. Feeding: Baleen whales swim through water with their mouths open, taking in large volumes of water containing krill, plankton, and other small organisms.
2. Filtering: The whale's tongue pushes the water out through the baleen plates, leaving the food trapped in the bristles.
3. Eating: The whale then swallows the concentrated food.
Why it's important:
* Efficient feeding: Baleen allows whales to filter huge quantities of water, capturing enough food to sustain their enormous bodies.
* Unique adaptation: Baleen is a remarkable adaptation that has allowed baleen whales to thrive in marine environments for millions of years.
Fun fact:
* Baleen plates can grow up to 12 feet long in some species.
* The largest baleen plates are found in the blue whale, the largest animal on Earth.
Overall, baleen is a fascinating and crucial part of the baleen whale's anatomy, allowing them to feed efficiently and thrive in their ocean environments.