Why Do Some Whales Have Baleen Instead of Teeth?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do some whales have baleen instead of teeth?

The Big Idea

Some whales have no teeth. Instead, they have baleen, a row of tough, fringed plates hanging from the upper jaw. A whale gulps in water full of tiny food, then pushes the water back out. The baleen works like a strainer, and the food is left behind.

The Mouth Opens Wide

Step one: the mouth opens wide. Inside the top of the mouth hang rows of baleen plates. They look like a long, fringed comb.

A Gulp Takes In Food

Step two: a gulp takes in water and food. The whale's pleated throat stretches out like a big bag. It fills with water and clouds of tiny krill and small fish.

Water Out, Food Stuck

Step three: the water goes out and the food stays stuck. The whale's tongue pushes the water out through the baleen. Krill cannot slip through the fringe, so the whale swallows them.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at baleen! The baleen plates hang from the upper jaw. The fringe is like a fuzzy edge that catches food. And the krill get stuck in it, ready to swallow.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Baleen is made of keratin, the same material as your fingernails. Toothed whales hunt larger prey, like fish and squid. Baleen whales eat clouds of tiny animals. And if you ever find a whale part, leave it where it is, or take it to a museum.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Mix some rice into a bowl of water. Pour it through a strainer. What stays behind, and where does the water go? Why would a comb beat teeth for catching krill?

Outro

Baleen turns a giant mouth into a living sieve. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!