Whales, killer whales and most species of dolphins spend their whole lives in the sea. People may assume that they have access to fresh water or are able to filter salt water. In fact, everything is simpler, and it will be interesting to understand this topic.
What do dolphins, whales and killer whales drink?
Scientists became interested in this issue and conducted research. They came to an unambiguous conclusion - cetaceans do not drink. They have no need, like people and other animals, to drink water in its pure form. They do not need either salty or fresh liquid. In this case, the body's need for moisture remains. Without water, organs cannot work, therefore, fluid must be taken somewhere, albeit not in the usual way.
Dolphins, killer whales and whales take moisture from food. They consume fish, plankton and squid, and they are 80% water. In addition, cetaceans get moisture due to the complex process of processing fat.
Suppose the gills of marine fish have a useful desalination apparatus. Special cells absorb salt from the bloodstream, and then in concentrated form are removed from the body with mucus.
Who else has a desalination machine?
- seagulls;
- albatrosses;
- penguins.
As you can understand, not only fish, but also birds are able to drink salt water and remove excess salt from the body.
Cetaceans have no such ability. However, they never feel thirsty.
How do dolphins and whales save moisture in the body?
Although cetaceans do not drink water, they still need it. They have a useful feature - fluid loss is minimized. As you can understand, not only fish, but also birds are able to drink salt water and remove excess salt from the body.
In whales and dolphins, the kidneys have a special structure. In type, it resembles the organs of desert animals. In addition, cetaceans do not have sweat glands, so individuals lose much less fluid than humans. Their moisture requirement is much less.
There are also disadvantages associated with the lack of sweat glands. When the water temperature changes, cetaceans are not able to reduce their body temperature with the help of sweating. Because of this, they feel worse in uncomfortable conditions.
Whales and dolphins tend not to approach the equator and live in more northern latitudes. Adhere to those places where the water temperature is stable and the most comfortable for them.
Interesting fact: dolphins sleep unusually. During sleep, they switch off one cerebral hemisphere and the opposite eye. The other half continues to stay awake. The parties change places, but never sleep at the same time. Dolphins are always on the alert, so it’s difficult to watch for predators.
By the way, cetaceans have a great need for air. They rise to the surface to swallow oxygen. This action is called “logging”. Given this feature, people occasionally see dolphins, whales and killer whales on the surface.
Dolphins, whales and killer whales do not drink water.At the same time, their body needs a liquid that cetaceans get from food. Individuals consume squid, plankton and other creatures, in the body of which about 80% of water. Such food saturates the dolphins with liquid. Moisture is slowly removed from the body, because there are no sweat glands. Mammals retain a supply of fluid in the body for as long as possible, and then again receive water from food.
