Whales Essays - Biota, Baleen Whales, Megafauna, Apex Predators

Whales Blue Whales The Blue whale is the largest creature of the sea; in fact, it's the largest creature known to man. Contrary to what most people think, even though Blue whales live in the sea, they are mammals. They breathe air, have their babies born alive, and can live anywhere from 30 to 70 years. The Blue whale is a baleen whale, and instead of having teeth, Blue whales have around 300-400 baleen plates in their mouths. Baleen are rows of coarse, bristle-like fibers used to strain plankton from the water. Baleen is made of keratin, the same material as our fingernails. The Blue whale is called a ?rorqual?, a Norwegian word for ?furrow? referring to the pleated grooves running from its chin to its naval. The pleated throat grooves allow the Blue whale's throat to expand during the huge intake of water during filter feeding; they can ?hold 1,000 tons or more of food and water when fully expanded? (Small 1971). They average about 50-70 throat grooves. Blue whales grow up to about 80 fee t (25m) long on average, weighing about 120 tons. The females are generally larger than the males, this is the case for all baleen whales. ?The largest specimen found was a female 94 feet (29m) long weighing more than 174 tons? (Satchell 1998). The head of the Blue whale forms up to a quarter of the total body length. Compared with other rorquals, the head is very broad. The blue whale heart is also large, the size of a small car and can pump almost 10 tons of blood throughout the body. They also have a very small, falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsal fin that is located near the fluke, or tail. Blue whales have long, thin flippers 8 feet (2.4m) long and flukes that are 25feet (7.6m) wide. The blue whale's skin is usually blue-gray with white-gray spots. The underbelly has brown, yellow, or gray specks. During the winter, in cold waters, diatoms stick to the underbelly, giving it a yellow to silver- to sulfur-colored sheen; giving the blue whale its nick-name of ?sulfur bottoms?. Other na mes include Sibbald's Rorqual and Great Northern Rorqual. Blue whales (like all baleen whales) are seasonal feeders and carnivores that filter feed tiny crustaceans (krill, copepods, etc), plankton, and small fish from the water. Krill, or shrimp-like euphasiids are no longer than 3 inches. It is amazing that the world's largest animals feed on the smallest marine life. Blue whales are gulpers, filter feeders that alternatively swim, then gulp a mouthful of plankton or fish. ?An average-sized blue whale will eat 2,000-9,000 pounds (900- 4100kg) of plankton each day during the summer feeding season in cold, arctic waters (120 days)? (Hasley 1984). The blue whale has twin blowholes with exceptionally large fleshy splashguards to the front and sides. It has about 320 pairs of black baleen plates with dark gray bristles in the blue whale's jaws. These plates can be 35-39 inches (90cm-1m) long, 21 inches (53cm) wide, and weigh 200 pounds (90kg). The tongue weighs 4 tons. Blue whales live individually or in very small pods (groups). They frequently swim in pairs. When the whale comes to the surface of the water, it takes a large breath of air. Then it dives back into the water, going to a depth of 350 feet (105m). Diving is also the way in which whales catch most of their food. Whales can stay under water for up to two hours without coming to the surface for more air. Blue whales breath air at the surface of the water through 2 blowholes located near the top of the head. ? They breathe about 1-4 times per minute at rest, and 5-12 times per minute after a deep dive? (Hasley 1984) Their blow is a single stream that rises 40-50 feet (12-15m) above the surface of the water. They are also very fast swimmers; they normally swim 3-20 mph, but can go up to 24-30mph in bursts when in danger. Feeding speeds are slower, usually about 1-4mph. The whales emit very loud, highly structured, repetitive low-frequency sounds that can travel form many miles underwater. They are probab ly the loudest animals alive, louder than a jet

The Figure of W.T. Sherman in essays

The Figure of W.T. Sherman in essays Through the veil of time, the Civil War has come to mean many things. For some, it was a war to free the slaves-for others, it was a matter of patriotism under the fist of tyranny. However, to concede to either of these explanations as the sole correct answer is an over simplification of grotesque proportions. To uncover the real meaning of the war, it is necessary to view all aspects of the conflict exactly as they were and not pander to the fickle nature of memory and remembrance. To William T. Sherman, the war was not about slaves, or cotton, or even states rights-it was about righting a wrong of epic magnitude. The South, through insurrection had shattered the union, and that sort of criminal act could not stand if the nation were to survive and prosper. Sherman understood the war best because he cut past all the political window dressing to the bare facts: Southerners and Northerners are really no different and Secession is essentially chaos. To end the war was to put do wn the rebellion and re-establish order among a common people. Early in him memoirs, Sherman dispels the myth of a war fought for slavery. While he was still employed as an instructor at the Louisiana Seminary of Learning and Military Academy, Sherman attended a dinner at the Governors mansion, during which he states, " I would deem it wise to bring the legal condition of slave more near the status of human beings under all Christian and civilized governments". And whats more, the men agree with him and debate the point in support of giving slaves basic human rights. But the idea of freeing blacks is not breached in that discussion in fact, prior to his admission, Sherman denounces the view that his brother, John, would ever sympathize with abolitionists in his political campaign. In the introduction to the his memoirs, Sherman is described as "stressing kindly paternalistic feelings for blacks" (xvi) but he never speaks of empowering them b...

Global Business Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global Business Plan - Essay Example The political, legal and regulatory risks highlighted that the region has a stable and development oriented political scene, which is supported by the legal system in Canada. Moreover the regulations in the region are similar to the ones in US, making the low and favorable for investment. The exchange rate risks are low for the country is low as well as the currency of the country is quite stable. The competitive risks in the region however are high as there exists fierce competition amongst the local and the international business. The government has taken steps to lower this risk for investors. The distribution and supply chain risks highlighted that the middleman in the oil production sector who is responsible for transporting and dealing with manufacturers and distributor faces high level of risks. The physical and environmental risks are also high in Canada due to its extreme climate and the rocky terrain of the land which makes extraction and digging difficult and time consuming. Additionally the social risks in the region are also present which relate to the conflicts attitudes of the French speaking and the English speaking Canadians. The SWOT analysis of the Oilpec Inc Company was also performed which identified that the strengths of the Oilpec Inc pertained to its knowledge and experience in the field of distribution, marketing, exploration, storage and refining of oil. The weaknesses of the company pertained to the stigma that is related with the oil companies in the minds of the people and the rising prices of oil which creates hardships for people in the worked. The opportunities that are available to the company pertain to the fact that the company can keep its operations costs low and offer consumers in the market with oil at lower prices. The threats that are faced by the company however include the high level of competition in the industry. Rationale for Selecting the Country The rationale for selecting Canada as a prospective region for operations for the Oilpec Inc Company was based on the strategic and risk analysis of the region. This analysis provided that the economy of the region is a fast growing one which is supported by the incrementing Canadian dollar and the increased economic activity. Moreover in Canada there is no currency restrictions placed on the repatriation of funds. Thus, in some cases, the repatriation may have tax consequences. In Canada, exchange rates are stable, so a foreign company will avoid these risks The policies of the region specific to immigration have allowed the country to have access to skilled people resources. Additionally while the crude oil sector in the region has a competitive industry, this allows new companies to enter in the market as by lowering barriers to entry. Additionally the legal environment is favorable for international companies, as Canada is a US oriented country with strong cultural and economic relations with the USA partners. This enables businesses form the United States to establish them selves in Canada with relative ease. Marketing Mix and Marketing Plan The target markets for the products to be manufactured by Oilpec Inc include all oil consumers in the international market. There exists intense competition in the industry for exploration, manufacture and distribution of crude oil in Canada and this requires a unique marketing strategy for the product by Oilpec Inc. The company