Sunday, February 16, 2020

February 16 - World Whale Day


Happy World Whale Day! This day reminds us of the challenges faced in our oceans across the globe. Observed annually on the third Sunday in February, World Whale Day celebrates these noble and majestic sea mammals. 

Some of the most fascinating creatures live in our big blue oceans. Whether it be the majestic, mammoth blue whale or the enchanting, spiral-toothed narwhal, whales create mystery wherever they go.  

For centuries they’ve been hunted for their meat and oil, but today they face pollution and loss of habitat. World Whale Day raises awareness of the growing need to protect these diverse and majestic mammals. 

While whales belong to the cetaceans order, there are two suborders – baleen and toothed. Bristles replace the teeth on baleen whales. Made of keratin, the bristles act as a filter collecting krill and other small invertebrates from the sea. 

Eating the smallest food in the ocean doesn’t make the smallest whales. The blue whale (a baleen whale) grows to ninety-eight feet in length and is the largest whale on Earth! However, the smallest whale, the toothed dwarf sperm whale, grows to between six feet seven inches and eight feet ten inches. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Learn more about whales on World Whale Day. Dispose of your waste properly and recycle when possible. Doing so would certainly make a whale of a difference. Use #WorldWhaleDay to share on social media. 

HISTORY 

World Whale Day began in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii. 

#WorldWhaleDay 
@nichecinema 

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