Whale Family Structure And Its Intricacy

The basics of whale family structure have been the subject of intense study on the part of many professionals and scholars, not to mention the common man, for many years. These intelligent and beautiful animals are known for their complex organizations, and there are three parts to the family — the bull, the cow and calf — that make up a species social order.

Whales are known for their intelligence and sublime behavioral patterns. It should not be a surprise, then, that whales place a great deal of importance on how the family structure is arranged. Known as a pod, typical whale families expect that each individual member will help contribute to the overall success of the pod.

Because of the way whales organize themselves into families and pods, it is quite evident that they have a very complex organization that helps to illustrate how extremely sociable and responsible they are when it comes to every other whale within the family. Whales are one of the very few species, next to humans, that also demonstrates insight, which is surprising to many biologists.

Within a pod, the most common form of organization is by age and sex. Calves are attended to by cows, which are the two most common elements of a pod. Pod usually number up to 30 other members, with the pod itself being organized and regulated by the activities of a male bull dominant whale. Cows without calves also act as midwives to those cows that are preparing to give birth.

Cows will also act as babysitters when the mother of the calf is off somewhere else, perhaps hunting or feeding. Calves tend to remain with their mothers for up to six years, with most staying by her side for at least three. Some whale species, however, feature a mother-calf pairing that can last for much longer than that.

Whale family structure is very intricate and socially involved, with a male dominant bull acting as guardian and protector of the pod of cows and calves. Other male whales within the pod will usually travel separately or slightly apart from the main pod. What is for sure is that the whale as a species has developed a way of life that is extremely interesting.

Frankie White has been watching whales for nearly fifty years and is fascinated by the whales family structure.

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Tags:Animal Behavior,Animalia,Biology,Cetacea,Chordata,Education,Endangered Animals,Flora and Fauna,Mammalia,Science,Wildlife,Zoology

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