Marine Mammals

Aquatic mammals such as whales and dolphins live and feed in the ocean. The Blue Whale is the biggest mammal on Earth.

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Learn More

Seals Clap Underwater to Communicate

Seals have long been known as dry-land clappers, but the first-ever percussive clapping observed by scientists has blown seal clapping theory out of the water. Or should we say under the water?

By Tara Yarlagadda Feb 13, 2020 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Sea Otters Are the Party Animals of the Sea

Sea otters are adorable, back from the brink of extinction and will totally bite you.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 7, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

It's a Manatee's Life: Swim, Eat, Rest, Repeat

Manatees can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and reach 10 feet in length, but they're so gentle and sweet they'll break your heart.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Oct 21, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

The Blue Whale: Bigger Than Megalodon

It is the largest animal ever to exist on the planet.

By Tara Yarlagadda Jul 2, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Dolphins Sleep Half a Brain at a Time

A dolphin doesn't breathe automatically, so during sleep, one side of its brain stays awake to ensure the mammal rises to the surface and breathes.

By Loraine Fick Jan 10, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Why Penguin Feet Don't Freeze

Penguins stand for months on the coldest ice in the world without their feet freezing, thanks to special blood circulation.

By Loraine Fick Jan 8, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Why Do Monk Seals Get Eels Up Their Noses?

It looks excruciating, and nobody knows exactly why it happens.

By Jesslyn Shields Dec 17, 2018 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Humpback Whales Start Simpler Songs as Old Ones Get Too Complex

Do humpback whales get tired of singing the same old song, or do they simply start over when it gets too complicated?

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 28, 2018 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

PCBs Are Killing Killer Whales

A new study paints a grave future for the killer whale, all because of the now-banned chemicals polychlopinated biphenyls — PCBs.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Sep 27, 2018 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

How Billie the Dolphin Taught Her Flippered Friends to Bust a Move

A dolphin named Billie learned a dolphin-show trick from some captive dolphins, taught her wild friends how to do it and started a fad.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 11, 2018 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Orca Mother Grieves Dead Calf More Than Two Weeks

A mother orca spent more than two weeks clinging to her dead calf. But why?

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 10, 2018 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Rare Hybrid Whale-dolphin Spotted in Hawaii

Is it a whale ... a dolphin? Is it a whale-pin?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Jul 31, 2018 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Dolphins and Porpoises: They're Different!

Breaking news: Dolphins and porpoises don't actually look very much alike.

By Jesslyn Shields Jun 28, 2018 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Platypus Milk: Our Best Hope Against an Antibiotic-Resistant Future

The platypus may look a bit absurd and bizarre, but its milk might hold the secret to fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

By Jesslyn Shields Mar 22, 2018 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Pablo Escobar's Escaped Hippos Now Roam Wild in Colombia Rivers

Thanks to the excesses of narcoterrorist Pablo Escobar, Colombian waterways now house a population of these invasive African giants.

By Jesslyn Shields Jul 27, 2017 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Narwhals Caught on Video Using Their Tusks to Hunt

It's the first evidence researchers have of the whales using their "unicorn horns" to capture prey.

By Kate Kershner May 16, 2017 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Solar Flares Could Scramble Signals, Cause Mysterious Whale Beachings

Each year, hundreds of healthy whales end up stranded on beaches, and scientists are investigating what could be behind the phenomenon.

By Laurie L. Dove Feb 13, 2017 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Orca Menopause May Be Related to Mother-Daughter Competition

Only three mammal species on Earth lose the ability to reproduce during middle age. Killer whales, like us, are one of that select group. But why?

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 12, 2017 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Narwhal Echolocation Abilities Exceed Those of Any Other Animal, Study Finds

It turns out that one of the world's most enchanting animals has even stronger superpowers than we previously knew. Surprise!

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 17, 2016 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Humpback Whales Save the Day for Seals, Other Species

Is it altruism? Revenge? Marine scientists aren't quite sure why humpbacks will sometimes save other animals from killer whales on the hunt.

By Christian Sager Aug 10, 2016 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Orcas Altered Their Own Evolution

Orcas have culture, just like humans do. And that culture can influence their evolution.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jun 9, 2016 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

SeaWorld Ends Orca Program

The current orcas residing at SeaWorld will be the last generation housed there.

By Kate Kershner Mar 21, 2016 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

What makes beached whales explode?

If a massive whale washed up on your beachfront, you'd think that the bulk of the problem would be ... well, its bulk. But if you were covered in decomposing whale guts, you'd think differently.

By Kate Kershner Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Harp Seal

Covered with silver-white fur, the harp seal can weigh up to 320 and resides in the frigid temperatures and ice floes of the Artic.

Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Leopard Seal

Found Antarctic ocean and shores and occasionally along coasts of South America, the Leopard Seal can grow up to 12 feet and weigh as much as 990 pounds.

Mammals / Aquatic Mammals