Baleen
| Description: |
Baleen is a sieve-like (strainer) growth used too skim food out of the water for some whales. It is made of the same material as your fingernail, but grows long from the roof of the mouth of certain whales. The whale will swim with its mouth open, taking in huge mouthfuls of water filled with tiny organisms known as plankton. Then it will force the water out, catching the plankton in the baleen. Because it is always wearing out, baleen is continually growing. |
|---|---|
| Source: |
http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/1578 |
| Collection: |
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis |
| Rights: | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/; |
| Copyright: |
Creative Commons (CC By-SA 3.0); |
| Subjects: |
Whalebone Baleen whales Whales Marine mammals |
Further information on this record can be found at its source.
This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library.