Whale watching is only possible at specific times in the calendar year, and only in a select number of places in the world. Yet it represents one of the most special events in the marine tourism agenda. Whale watching Channel Islands is one opportunity to engage in this activity. If you are in the Channel Islands in Oxnard CA at the appropriate time of the year, you should investigate this event.
Whales are the largest mammals on earth. It might sound strange that they are mammals, since they live in the sea, but they are. They are not cold-blooded, and they also breathe using lungs, unlike ordinary fish, which use gills.
The gills in fish are rich in blood-vessels and are specially adapted to absorb oxygen out of the water that is constantly passing through them as they swim. Whales cannot do this, as they do not have gills. This means that they need to break the surface of the water regularly to take in fresh air. They do this through what is known as the spout or blowhole. As the whale breaches, or surfaces, it exhales through the blowhole, which is situated on the top of its head. This causes the characteristic fountain of seawater spray.
It then inhales fresh air and submerses itself, or dives, once more. It can dive very deep and remain underwater for a long time. The main principle, though, is that, like a human diver, it must surface at some point in time to breathe.
The main threat to these animals has historically been human predation, or hunting. This is known technically as whaling. It used to be a very common activity in bygone times, but recently it has been prohibited by most nations. Japan is the exception to the rule, and Japanese ships annually hunt them. There has been opposition to this practice, but Japan claims that the whaling is performed in order to further research.
The traditional weapon used to hunt is the metal harpoon. The harpoon resembles a spear or javelin, and it is thrown or projected at the animal from the hunting ship or boat. In more primitive times, a smaller vessel or rowing boat was used to get close to the whale, and the sailor entrusted with the harpoon would then physically throw it at the whale. Sailors in the boat would wait expectantly for the whale to breach, which it would obviously have to do every so often.
Modern harpoon technology involved explosives or electric shocks, and the harpoons were launched from the whaling ship with great force by a mechanized cannon. The harpoon would either penetrate the whale's body and electrocute it, or its grenade component would explode in the whale's body and mortally injure or kill it.
In recent times, whale populations have been decimated by whaling. They reproduce only very slowly and some species gestate for up to two years. Although Japan obstinately continues to hunt a set number of animals every year, the modern trend is to outlaw this activity. So, if you are able to watch them breaching, it can be a rewarding pastime and one which you should try to participate in.
Whales are the largest mammals on earth. It might sound strange that they are mammals, since they live in the sea, but they are. They are not cold-blooded, and they also breathe using lungs, unlike ordinary fish, which use gills.
The gills in fish are rich in blood-vessels and are specially adapted to absorb oxygen out of the water that is constantly passing through them as they swim. Whales cannot do this, as they do not have gills. This means that they need to break the surface of the water regularly to take in fresh air. They do this through what is known as the spout or blowhole. As the whale breaches, or surfaces, it exhales through the blowhole, which is situated on the top of its head. This causes the characteristic fountain of seawater spray.
It then inhales fresh air and submerses itself, or dives, once more. It can dive very deep and remain underwater for a long time. The main principle, though, is that, like a human diver, it must surface at some point in time to breathe.
The main threat to these animals has historically been human predation, or hunting. This is known technically as whaling. It used to be a very common activity in bygone times, but recently it has been prohibited by most nations. Japan is the exception to the rule, and Japanese ships annually hunt them. There has been opposition to this practice, but Japan claims that the whaling is performed in order to further research.
The traditional weapon used to hunt is the metal harpoon. The harpoon resembles a spear or javelin, and it is thrown or projected at the animal from the hunting ship or boat. In more primitive times, a smaller vessel or rowing boat was used to get close to the whale, and the sailor entrusted with the harpoon would then physically throw it at the whale. Sailors in the boat would wait expectantly for the whale to breach, which it would obviously have to do every so often.
Modern harpoon technology involved explosives or electric shocks, and the harpoons were launched from the whaling ship with great force by a mechanized cannon. The harpoon would either penetrate the whale's body and electrocute it, or its grenade component would explode in the whale's body and mortally injure or kill it.
In recent times, whale populations have been decimated by whaling. They reproduce only very slowly and some species gestate for up to two years. Although Japan obstinately continues to hunt a set number of animals every year, the modern trend is to outlaw this activity. So, if you are able to watch them breaching, it can be a rewarding pastime and one which you should try to participate in.
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