We know whales as the mightiest sea animals, but most of us haven’t ever given a thought to their contribution to the marine ecosystem. Even the marine scientists did not have proper measurement tools to gauge as basic activities as the feeding pattern of whales.
There have been some researches in the past that are just recently nullified by research conducted for the marine Journal Nature. The research specifically studied the eating pattern of Baleen whales that include over fourteen species including blue whales (the largest sea mammal measuring up to 100 feet) and the humpback.
Previously, marine scientists were underestimating the food consumption of the species. The study found out that the average Baleen whales eat up to 30% of their body weight each day. The team conducted their research by tagging seven Baleen whale species (total 321 whales) from Pacific, Atlantic and Southern oceans.
The equipment of tagging included cameras and sensory monitors that tracked the activity of the whales. Whales usually lunge when they want to capture food. With these tracking systems, there average lunges per day were recorded.
The results show that the Baleen whales consume up to 16 tonnes of Antarctic Krill which is three times more than the previous marine scientists’ estimates.
What Effect Does Whales Eating Pattern Has on the Marine Ecosystem?
With so much food going into the stomachs of these mighty creatures, excretion too is huge. An interesting fact about whales excretion is that they never poo in the area where they eat. They move to other marine territories for excretion.
The excretion produces sea minerals and stabilises the carbon and nitrogen saturation of the sea. Other than that, the excreted biomass also works as a growing bed for some crucial marine microorganisms.
What are these microorganisms? They are known as phytoplanktons—The primary food of the Antarctic Krill. This establishes a food loop for the whales. Whales eat Krill and excrete the waste which is iron-rich and nurtures phytoplankton which is the food of Krill. Eventually, the whales’ poop produces more food for them.
