|
ECOSYSTEMS > OPEN SEA > MIDNIGHT ZONE
With such tremendous pressure differences between the Sunlit and Midnight Zones, it’s startling to realize that some animals can move effortlessly between these environments. The best know is the sperm whale, which has been recorded swimming to depths of 10,000 feet (3,048 m). Before the whale takes this deep plunge, it exhales all the air from its lungs which helps it withstand the pressures below. A giant oil-filled organ in its head (called a melon) allows the whale to hunt in total darkness using a sense called echolocation in which these transmit high pitched sounds and can locate objects and other animals when those sounds are reflected back to them.
To increase its chances of finding prey in the dark, scientists now believe that sperm whales hunt cooperatively. The whales appear to swim upside-down so they can see squid silhouetted against the lighter water above, then attack from below!
The sperm whale's deep sea diet has been extremely valuable to scientists studying animals of the Midnight Zone. By examining their stomach contents and collecting their feces, scientists are able to get samples of animals which would otherwise be very difficult to collect. It is believe that these whales are the primary predators of other deep-sea giants, in particular the legendary giant squid.
With such tremendous pressure differences between the Sunlit and Midnight Zones, it’s startling to realize that some animals can move effortlessly between these environments. The best know is the sperm whale, which has been recorded swimming to depths of 10,000 feet (3,048 m). Before the whale takes this deep plunge, it exhales all the air from its lungs which helps it withstand the pressures below. A giant oil-filled organ in its head (called a melon) allows the whale to hunt in total darkness using a sense called echolocation in which these transmit high pitched sounds and can locate objects and other animals when those sounds are reflected back to them.
To increase its chances of finding prey in the dark, scientists now believe that sperm whales hunt cooperatively. The whales appear to swim upside-down so they can see squid silhouetted against the lighter water above, then attack from below!
The sperm whale's deep sea diet has been extremely valuable to scientists studying animals of the Midnight Zone. By examining their stomach contents and collecting their feces, scientists are able to get samples of animals which would otherwise be very difficult to collect. It is believe that these whales are the primary predators of other deep-sea giants, in particular the legendary giant squid.
Downloadable Items:
|
|
