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HOW DO BALEEN WHALES FEED?

HOW DO BALEEN WHALES FEED?

Baleen whales, also called Mysticeti, are known for having baleen plates for filtering food from water, rather than teeth like toothed whales, or Odontoceti.

Living species of baleen, such as the humpback, have teeth only during the embryonic phases, whereas extinct baleens had teeth as adults before baleen evolved.
The filter system sits within the giant animals' mouths and works when a whale opens its mouth underwater and the whale takes in water.

The whale then pushes the water out, and animals such as krill are filtered by the baleen and remain as food source for the whale.

The system is composed of bristles made from a material like keratin - like that of human nails.
These baleen bristles are arranged in plates across the upper jaw of the whale.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3341480/The-humble-origins-great-whales-Fossilised-teeth-tiny-6ft-baleen-ancestor-filter-systems-evolved.html#ixzz3t8aStEuj
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