Rostrum The rostrum is the whale’s snout or front part of the head. It houses the blowholes and helps the whale navigate through the water. The rostrum is covered in small, bumpy dimples, with each bump featuring a hair called a vibrissa. These vibrissae, also present around the whale’s mouth, act as tactile sensors, providing the whale with a highly developed sense of touch. (Source)
Blowholes Located on top of the whale’s head, blowholes are used for breathing. The blowholes connect directly to the lungs, allowing the whale to hold water in its mouth while still being able to breathe. (Source) These are similar to nostrils but are adapted for life underwater. Whales exhale through their blowholes, creating a spout or blow visible above the surface.
Dorsal Fin Found on the whale’s back, the dorsal fin helps maintain stability while swimming. Not all whale species have a visible dorsal fin, but it is common in many species like orcas and blue whales.
Dorsal Ridge This ridge is a prominent feature in some species, such as the gray whale. It runs along the back and often replaces a dorsal fin. It helps in reducing drag and assists in navigation through the water.
Peduncle or Tail Stock The peduncle is the thick, muscular area just before the fluke. This part is essential for the movement and strength needed to propel the whale through the water.
Median Notch The median notch is a small indentation on the back edge of the whale’s fluke. It is visible in some whale species and plays a role in the tail’s flexibility and efficiency in swimming.
Fluke The flukes are the two lobes of the tail of the whale. It is wide and flat, used for propulsion through the water. When the whale swims, it moves its fluke up and down, pushing water behind it to move forward.
Genital Slit The genital slit is located on the underside of the whale’s body, just in front of the tail. It is where the reproductive organs are located and is visible in both male and female whales.
Mammary Glands Located near the genital slit, the mammary glands in female whales are used for nursing their young. Whales, being mammals, feed their calves with milk produced by these glands.
Flippers The flippers are located on the sides of the whale’s body. They are used for steering and maneuvering in the water. Despite their size, whale flippers are highly efficient and assist in precise movement.
Throat Pleats These pleats or folds of skin are located along the throat and belly of the whale. They expand and contract when feeding, allowing the whale to take in large amounts of water and food before filtering it through the baleen plates.
Lower Jaw The lower jaw of a whale is often slightly larger than the upper jaw, which helps to hold its mouth open while feeding. In baleen whales, the lower jaw is also where the baleen plates are located.
Baleen Plates Baleen plates are comb-like structures found in the mouths of baleen whales. These plates are made of keratin (the same material as human hair and nails) and help filter out small organisms, such as krill or plankton, from the water as the whale feeds.
