The blue whale is currently accepted as the largest animal to have ever existed. We can find no remains that exceed the size of the blue whale. Even those of prehistoric times cannot outweigh the 170 tons and 100 foot length of the blue whale.
The blue whale is a sea mammal of dark blue/gray and regular gray complexion. The dark skin on the top of the whale protects it from being seen from above and the light skin helps it stay invisible while being viewed from below. This camouflage helps the whale stay hidden from predators such as killer whales and sharks. If the blue whale were some other color, like pink, it would be eaten right away with no chance of survival. When they are not being eaten themselves, the blue whale likes to feed on krill mainly. They are filter feeders.
Blue whales in the pacific ocean have very specific migration patterns that they follow with their pods. In the winter they migrate to the equator to escape the frigid northern waters, and then in the summer they return to the waters around Alaska. These migration patterns coincide with mating times to have calves born in the summer when the waters are warmer.
The interesting thing about mating whales is that they need wing-men, LITERALLY. While copulating, the male whale is below the female, but below the male is another male pushing upwards to keep the pair afloat. Without these brave wing-whales, the species may have gone extinct long ago.
While we know little about whales, they are majestic creatures that roam the ocean. Many go whale watching to get a glimpse of these elusive creatures, but many go their entire lives without seeing a single one. We don't appreciate nature around us, we don't take in what may be gone eventually.
Sources:
http://best-diving.org/images/Adrenaline_DivingWall/diving%20blue%20whale.jpg
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/blue-whale/
http://acsonline.org/fact-sheets/blue-whale-2/
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/education/cetaceans/blue.php
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/biodiversity-and-environmental-halls/milstein-hall-of-ocean-life/the-blue-whale
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=Z5SIVkZ+n+WzlEHjk17NFw==
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