And don’t say sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) just because the name is funny. I’m a sperm whale so it’s kind of mean.
I also didn't realize this post was brought to us by creamsicle until after I posted it
Definitely bowhead whale
- lives 200 years
- has skull thick enough to smash through ice
- two feet of blubber, most of any animal
- has a literal dick in its mouth that gets erect to cool down in cold water
A 2013 discovery has clarified the function of the bowhead's large palatal retial organ. The bulbous ridge of highly vascularized tissue, the corpus cavernosum maxillaris, extends along the centre of the hard plate, forming two large lobes at the rostral palate. The tissue is histologically similar to that of the corpus cavernosum of the mammalian penis. This organ is thought to provide a mechanism of cooling for the whale (which is normally protected from the cold Arctic waters by 40 cm or 16 in or more of fat). During physical exertion, the whale must cool itself to prevent hyperthermia (and ultimately brain damage). This organ becomes engorged with blood, and as the whale opens its mouth cold seawater flows over the organ, thus cooling the blood.
well shit now that i know about the mouthdick whale obviously that's my answer
Death to America
Beluga Whale. Their heads are so squishy and they look so cute.
I was going to say sperm whale but not because they have sperm in the name.
Of all the whales, sperm whales are though to have the most complex language, and they're highly social.
They are also the loudest creatures on the planet, capable of communicating over 100s of kilometers, maybe even over a 1000 km. Sometimes, free divers that swim with the whales have their body heat up from being pelleted with clicks.
Also related, one of the coolest scientific projects going right now is CETI, the cetacean translation initiative, using machine learning to try and understand whale communication. youtube link
In 1820 a sperm whale attacked a whaling vessel, the Essex, and killed most of the crew—the survivors faced starvation and resorted to cannibalism. What’s cool is it sounds like the whale did this intentionally.
I knew a guy who went into severe debt to buy a forgeworld titan that he didn't even assemble
Humpback because they're some of the ones around here. Also because we need them to save us from the alien probe in the future.
If I cared more on the subject I'd probably say rightwhale or beaked wale, but as a passive enjoyer probably narwhal or beluga.
When I found Creamsicle he was I think supposed to be an anatomically-incorrect narwal, with a horn on his forehead. It was only partially attached, with the stitching frayed, so I amputated it. He doesn’t remember even having it.
Orca, even though technically it's a dolphin
Otherwise I like Bowhead Whales
"Ackyually, dolphins are a type of whale, so you're totally in the clear for answering with Orca."
Blue and sperm. But idunno they are all pretty great.
I'd love to go whale watching sometimes but I'd need to look up the ethics of that. I'm sure a lot of the expeditions are not great for the environment.
