Hi Lorena,
Whales can be identified in part by their 'blows'. Various species have different blowing patters -- for example right whales and bowheads have a 'v' shaped blow whereas a fin
whale has a cone-like blow about 6 m high (these are all baleen whales). Blows differ between toothed and baleen species -- toothed have one hole and baleen have two. Toothed
whale blows are less visible. The blow holes have nasal plugs that are closed except when forced open during respiration. I assume that the air expelled during a blow is going
to have a very low oxygen content -- it may differ depending on the length of the dive/time between breaths.
Hope this helps,
Cathy Schaeff
Pita Administrator wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 03:38:39 +0800
> From: lorena saldarriaga <lule@wongfaye.com>
> To: pita@whale.wheelock.edu, kburnett@whale.wheelock.edu
> Subject: Seraching for info
>
> Hello,
>
> I'am a student in Biologie searching for scientific information in the blowing of cetaceans. I really don't find articles about it and i wonder if you knew something about it.
> I'm interested in the identification of especes and in the development of the respiration system.
>
> What makes the difference between the blown from one espece to another?
> Is it physioligical?
> What does the blow contains?
>
> You can contact me to my e-mail.
> lule@wongfaye.com
>
> Lot's of questions and for the moment no answer to.
>
> I thank you for the time you spend developping this mail.
>
> Atte,
>
> Lorena Saldarriaga
> --
>
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-- Dr. Cathy Schaeff Associate Professor and Chair Biology Department, 101 Hurst Hall, American University, 4400 Mass. Ave. NW, Washington DC 20016-8007 phone: (202) 885-2175; fax: (202) 885-2182 schaeff@american.edu; http://american.edu/cas/department_biology.shtml
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