MARINE MAMMALS

With the common theory that they descended from terrestrial carnivores, marine mammals share the same characteristics of breathing through lungs, being warm blooded, having hair, bearing live young and suckling their young. Differences include marine mammals not having a breast plate, which would crush their lungs in the high pressure of deep water dives and having a more complex circulatory system that reduces heat loss - especially in the extremities. Marine mammals rarely need to drink fresh water, instead utilizing water which is present in food, inspired air and blubber. Like their terrestrial counterparts they communicate with sound and some use echolocation to locate prey. When present, whiskers can detect vibrations in the water if visibility is poor.

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