Have you ever wondered, “What do whales eat?” For whales of all sizes, whale food is integral to their survival and population maintenance. Whale feeding habits are also equally important for maintaining a balance within the ocean’s vast ecosystem. With up to 90 different species of animals within the cetacean family, of which whales are a member, there exists a wide variety of methods used to locate, isolate, and immobilize whale food. Various factors determine the feeding habits of a whale and what whales eat, including environment, size, social structure, species type, and more. These factors work together to determine whether a whale will consume smaller aquatic species such as shrimp, plankton, fish, krill, or crab or whether they consume larger forms such as seals, sharks, sea lions, or even other whales.
These majestic sea mammals are quite amazing in the way that they navigate the ocean waters to find and consume their whale food. One common question is how do whales eat their food? The process by which whales locate and eat their food differs depending on the particular whale species. Here’s some information on how whales eat their food, specifically for the baleen whale and the toothed whale.
Unlike toothed whales, baleen whales (humpbacks, minkes, and right whales) do not have teeth. Instead, they possess bristles, much like the bristles of a comb, that act as a net to capture prey. Baleen whales are known to engage in filter feeding, a unique method of hunting, which involves grazing the surface of the ocean to capture tiny morsels of whale food. The baleen whale is known to have what are called baleen plates that hang in their mouth from the upper jaw. These bristles are used to capture tiny crustaceans in their mouths as they swim through the ocean. Baleen whales have massive tongues that are used to squeeze excess water out of their mouths, which are captured during the initial food intake, and wipe the baleen clean before swallowing their prey whole. So, what do whales eat if they are baleen whales? They primarily consume krill, plankton, and small fish.
Toothed whales (sperm whales, white whales, beaked whales) use a very specific hunting method to catch their prey: echolocation. Echolocation occurs when the whale emits a collection of buzzing and clicking noises. The whale will then listen to the echoes of the sounds made that bounce off of nearby objects. The length of time required for the echo to return to the whale indicates the distance of whale food, the density of the whale food, and even if the whale food is moving or sitting still. Echolocation is not only useful for locating whale food, but can also indicate whether predators or inanimate objects are close. It is a unique method helpful for navigating the dark waters of the sea, helping these large sea mammals avoid dangerous situations and find whale food.
Toothed whales are hunters. Once they locate their food via echolocation, they chase and capture their prey. How do these whales eat? They swallow their prey whole! So, what do whales eat if they are toothed whales? They primarily consume squid, fish, octopus, and sometimes larger prey like seals and other marine mammals.
Commonly, many whales are known for feeding on krill and other tiny crustaceans, but many are left wondering: do whales eat fish or octopus? It is true that many whale species prefer feeding on small morsels of food, but there is one species in particular that can eat larger fish: the sperm whale. The sperm whale, the largest toothed whale in existence, will usually consume whale food including large squid, fish, and octopus. It is believed that sperm whales consume an astonishing 220 billion pounds of squid every year. It is not uncommon to see small, circular marks around the head of a sperm whale, brought on by octopus and squid, attaching to their head in an attempt to avoid being eaten.
Hunting in groups is not only a characteristic of the killer whale; other species of toothed whales have been viewed feeding in groups. These whales are believed to hunt together due to their smaller sizes in some cases and their more complex social bonds.
Some whales, such as the grey whale, rely on prey found at the bottom of the ocean. These bottom feeders will swim to the bottom of the ocean and then roll on their sides. By doing this, they are able to disrupt sea sediments and prey. They will then capture the small fish, crabs, plankton, or other sea creatures that come up. The grey whale can eat a spectacular 3,000 pounds of food every single day.
While toothed whales tend to consume a varied diet of small and larger prey, baleen whales hunt small prey they can swallow whole and in large quantities. No matter the species of whale, they have each adapted to their environments and personal attributes to thrive and eat well. The various methods of hunting utilized by whales, including echolocation, bubble netting, and filter feeding, have all proven effective in locating, isolating, and consuming different types of prey.
When asking the question, “What do whales eat?” one only needs to look at the location, marine life, climate, and social structure of a specific species of whale. These factors can identify and study a whale’s unique diet.
Are you excited yet about witnessing this majestic giant in its natural habitat? If so, then all aboard Harbor Breeze. For decades, we have been Long Beach’s top whale-watching tour guide, providing fun and educational whale-watching adventures the entire family will love. If you are ready for an unforgettable Long Beach and Los Angeles whale-watching experience, where grey whales are the most populous, then book your tour today. We look forward to taking you and your friends and family out on the ocean soon!
