Book 6, Question 73
Why Do Whales Have Blubber?
Blubber is a thick layer of fat under a whale's skin. It does three jobs: it keeps heat in, it stores energy, and it helps the whale float. It is a coat, a snack pack, and a life jacket in one!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 6
More fun facts
- Blubber is a thick layer of fat under the skin that keeps body heat in and cold water out.
- Blubber also stores energy for times when a whale is not eating.
- Blubber helps a whale float, too.
- Bowhead whales live in Arctic waters and can have 17 to 20 inches of blubber, more than any other whale.
- The blubber on a gray whale can be up to 10 inches thick.
- Seals, sea lions and polar bears also have blubber to stay warm in cold water.
Sources: Scientific American, NOAA, NOAA
Questions kids ask
Which whale has the thickest blubber?
The bowhead whale of the Arctic, with up to 20 inches.