Mammal sea animal. Species of marine mammals

Regardless of whether they live exclusively in bodies of water or swim only occasionally, all these mammals are a true miracle of nature. They can be found all over the world and are very different from each other. By the way, people often confuse these animals with other aquatic animals. We easily call beavers water lovers, but we often forget that whales are also mammals, and not fish.

From dolphins to moose, water mammals play essential roles in their ecosystems, and they all naturally excellent swimmers. How many of these types of animals do you know? It's time to test yourself with our selection of 25 of the most amazing marine and waterfowl mammals!

25. Amazonian river or freshwater dolphin

Also known as the pink dolphin, white dolphin or inia dolphin, this cetacean lives only in fresh waters the great Amazon and river system Orinoco. There this mammal is found quite often, although in last years population pink dolphin began to decline significantly due to the destruction of their habitat (the construction of dams).

24. Ladoga ringed seal

Photo: Alexander Butakov

Ladoga ringed seals is a very numerous subspecies and the smallest seal in the entire Arctic, which is why inexperienced observers often confuse adults with young animals.

23. Canadian or North American beaver

Photo: Steve/Washington

This is a semi-aquatic rodent with translucent eyelids, created specifically for navigation under water, and with incredibly sharp teeth, with the help of which it chews through the most powerful trees and builds dams. Beavers play a very important role in the life of their habitat and help in its prosperity.

22. Amazonian manatee

Photo: Dirk Meyer

The Amazonian manatee is a rather bizarre looking mammal with two forelimbs and a tail instead of hind legs. This is the smallest manatee in nature.

21. Eurasian otter

Photo: Catherine Trigg

This animal prefers the fresh waters of Europe, feeds on fish and frogs, and sometimes even feasts on small birds.

20. Capybara

Photo: Pixabay.com

The capybara would probably get along well with the African hippopotamus, because it loves the water and mud of the Andean and other South American river coasts. Like hippos, the capybara's eyes, ears and mouth are located almost at the very top of the animal's head, allowing it to observe what is happening around it while being almost completely under water.

19. North American river otter

Photo: Sage Ross

This otter has a water-repellent coat, webbed feet and a long body. By nature, it is simply created to pierce water like an arrow. These funny little animals can hold their breath underwater for as long as 8 minutes!

18. Platypus

Photo: Klaus

The first scientists who encountered these funny mammals thought that the beast was not real, and that one of their colleagues was clearly playing a joke. A cross between a duck, a beaver and an otter is already something absolutely incredible. In addition, the platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs. Males of this species are poisonous.

17. Hippopotamus

Photo: Pexels.com

They love water so much that the Greeks even nicknamed these massive animals “river horses.” Despite their external bulkiness, hippos are excellent swimmers, and under water they can survive without oxygen for up to 5 minutes.

16. Indian rhinoceros

Photo: Dr. Raju Kasambe

Listed as a vulnerable species (at risk of extinction), the Indian rhinoceros lives mainly in Northern India and Nepal. These rhinos have a number of significant differences from their African relatives, the main one being their unique horn.

15. Water possum or swimming marsupial rat

Photo: wikimedia.commons.com

The water opossum is the only mammal in which both females and males have a special fold of skin (bag) on their belly. These animals do not like to gather in packs and rarely live longer than 3 years.

14. Marsh or water shrew

Photo: Tim Gage

It is the tiniest warm-blooded aquatic creature in the world ( average weight about 13 grams)! The feet of the marsh shrew are hairy, and this helps it in swimming. By the way, shrews are even smaller.

13. Water vole or European water rat

Photo: Pixabay.com

Water voles are often confused with common rats, but this mammal is a member of the hamster family, not the mouse family. The European water rat lives in the area of river banks, near lakes and ponds.

12. Moose

Photo: Pixabay.com

Elk are the largest member of the deer family and are at home in the water. These animals can even dive!

11. Nutria

Photo: Norbert Nagel

This is a fairly large rodent from South Africa. Nutria feed on aquatic plants, but sometimes they do not disdain mollusks.

10. Walruses

Photo: wikipedia.commons.com

Walruses are typical inhabitants of the Northern Arctic Ocean, and they are incredibly social animals (live in large colonies). Walruses are easily distinguished by their massive tusks and unique vibrissae (dense bristles resembling whiskers). These mammals spend most of their lives on the coast, but they are able to dive to a depth of 55 meters for their prey.

9. Dugong

Photo: Julien Willem

This animal is very similar to the manatee, but it is still allocated to a separate order of sirens. Dugongs are found in Australian waters and East Africa, and they can spend 6 months in a row swimming.

8. Leopard seal

Photo: Cyfer13

Like the land leopard, the leopard seal is a bloodthirsty predator. These seals are excellent hunters and the only representatives of their family that feed on warm-blooded animals.

7. Cuvier's beaked whale or middle swimmer

Photo: Chris_huh

Cuvier's beaked whales are found in almost all oceans and even in some of the most big seas. During the hunt these amazing mammals capable of descending as much as 2000 meters below water level!

6. Californian porpoise

Photo: wikipedia.commons.com

This aquatic mammal is on the verge of extinction, but the rare animal was discovered quite recently - only in 1958. California porpoises live in the Gulf of Mexico, and due to poaching, their population has declined enormously in just the last few years.

5. Humpback whale

Photo: Pixabay.com

These giant creatures are known for their unique songs, which can only be heard underwater, of course. Humpback whales weigh about 40 tons and grow up to 19 meters in length, but despite their enormous size, they are excellent swimmers and are able to cover considerable distances during their annual migrations.

4. Polar bear

Photo: Adam Bishop

Believe it or not, polar bears are also classified as aquatic mammals. Polar bears simply created for living in conditions of eternal cold and for swimming in Arctic waters, because they have a fairly thick layer subcutaneous fat, and wool perfectly protects from moisture. Sluggish and bulky in appearance, these

Most river mammals spend only part of their lives in water. Animals such as the river otter and the swimming rat live on land and venture into the water in search of food.

1. Hippopotamus.
A hippopotamus peers out of an algae-covered lake in Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve. These massive mammals cool their huge bodies every day in African lakes, ponds and rivers up to 16 hours a day. And although these animals can hold their breath for about half an hour, they usually do not submerge completely under water, leaving the top of their heads on the surface. At night, hippos leave the water and come to land in search of food. If they stay on land too long during a hot day, the animals quickly become dehydrated.

2. Hippopotamus.
A Zambian hippopotamus sends an aggressive message by showing its sharp teeth, which can reach a length of 20 inches (51 centimeters). Males use a wide open mouth when fighting to determine which animal is dominant. Sometimes a simple show of force is not enough, and such behavior leads to potentially deadly battles. Hippos are also dangerous to humans.

3. Manatee.
Manatees swim slowly through shallow and warm coastal waters and rivers For example, such as this crystal clean river in Florida - Crystal River, which is shown in this photo. The large mammals (up to 1,300 pounds or 600 kg) are born underwater and remain there throughout their lives, although they must come up for air every few minutes. Known as sea cows, they are voracious herbivores, feeding various types sea grasses, weeds and algae.
Several different species of manatees live along the Atlantic coast of North and South America, the west coast of Africa, and in the Amazon River.

4. Muskrat.
Muskrats are frequent inhabitants of wetlands, swamps and ponds, where they make their burrows by digging tunnels in marshy banks. This large rodent has a foot-long body and a flat tail almost as long as its body. Muskrats are well adapted to water and begin to swim 10 days after birth. Perhaps best known for their highly developed communication skills, muskrats exchange information with each other and ward off predators with their distinct scent.

5. Baikal seals.
Lives in the world a large number of seals, but only one species is truly freshwater - the Baikal seal. These seals live in the lake of the same name in the territory Russian Federation, which is the deepest in the world. Although new generations of Baikal seals are born every year in such colonies, this species is not in serious danger. The main threats are poaching, as well as pollution from paper and pulp production, which are located near the lake.

6. Amazonian dolphin.
For tracking food (small fish and crustaceans) in troubled waters river, the charismatic Amazon dolphin uses echolocation. During their annual leashes, these dolphins actually swim through the flooded forests and hunt among the trees. A bright shade (often pink or very pale color) and the natural curiosity of this species of dolphins makes them easy prey for fishermen-poachers, who illegally catch them to use as bait for catfish. The population of these individuals has decreased significantly in recent years. Among the locals inhabiting the shores of the Amazon, these dolphins have long been considered supernatural creatures that could take on human form.

7. Capybara.
The largest rodent in the world, the capybara grows to 4 feet in length (130 cm) and weighs about 145 pounds (66 kg). These moisture-loving mammals reach this size by eating grasses and aquatic plants.
In most cases, these mammals live in watery areas, to which they are physically well adapted. They have webbed feet, thanks to which they swim well and can dive under water for five minutes or more. Capybaras live in Central and South America, inhabiting the lakes, rivers and wetlands of Panama from southern Brazil to northern Argentina.
The Nature Conservancy is working with partners to protect capybara habitat, including the watery grasslands of Llanos. The group works with local landowners to create private reserves in critical habitat areas and help harvest more resources for a 63,000-acre (25,500-hectare) conservation area in the province of Casanare in northeastern Colombia.

8. Capybaras.
The eyes, ears and nostrils of capybaras are located high on the head, so they remain on the surface when the animal is in the water. These social mammals move and live in alpha male-dominated groups and work together to defend their home and feeding territory. People hunt (and also farm) capybaras for their skin and meat, which is especially popular during Lent - Catholics in South America consider the animal an acceptable alternative to beef or pork.

9. Beaver.
Beavers are ecological engineers, second only to humans in their ability to significantly alter the landscape to their liking. Using their powerful jaws and teeth, they cut down trees by the dozens and build dams of wood and mud 2 to 10 feet (1-3 meters) high and more than 100 feet (30 meters) long. And they do this so that the filling waters flood the nearby fields and forests. In the resulting lakes, which are sometimes enormous in size, beavers build their homes from branches and mud.

10. Beaver.
Although they are quite clumsy on land, beavers swim easily in the water thanks to their webbed feet and paddle-shaped tail, which help them reach speeds of up to 5 miles (8 km) per hour. These mammals also boast a sort of natural diving suit in the form of their oily, water-resistant fur.
Beavers eat aquatic plants, roots, leaves, bark, and branches. Their teeth grow throughout their lives, so they simply need to chew on trees to prevent them from growing too long and crooked. A single beaver chews down hundreds of trees each year, typically gnawing down a tree 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter in just 15 minutes.

11. River otter.
This sleepy river otter is actually very playful. The water-loving mammal is always willing to dive under water and can move gracefully thanks to its webbed feet and paddle-shaped tail. Otters have special structure ears and nostrils that close underwater, and water-repellent fur. Young otters begin to swim at the age of 2 months. River otters live in burrows along the edges of a river or lake in close proximity to the fish on which they feed.

12. Platypus.
The platypus is an incredible mixture of different animals: its furry body resembles that of an otter, its beak like that of a duck, and its webbed feet and paddle-shaped tail like a beaver. Like all these animals, the platypus is a strong swimmer and spends most of its life underwater. Unlike otters and beavers, they lay eggs. Male platypuses have poisonous stings on their hind legs. These animals build their burrows at the very edge of the water and feed on underwater worms, mollusks and insects.

2013 has been declared the Year of Protection in Russia environment. In our country there are many dates related to the protection and protection of animals, flora, water, earth, air and man. Individual events and holidays of the year will be discussed on the “Ecological Page”. It is intended for a wide range of readers, teachers, and educators.

It has been celebrated since 1986 and is also called Whale Day. It is considered a day of protection not only for whales, but for everyone marine mammals and other living creatures living in the seas and oceans. On this day, after 200 years of merciless extermination, the International Whale Commission introduced a ban on whaling. It is still in effect today and means that whale hunting, as well as the trade in whale meat, is prohibited throughout the world. After commercial whaling was banned, the numbers of some whale species began to recover. Currently, only indigenous whaling is permitted solely to meet the needs of the indigenous population, as well as the taking of whales for scientific purposes. Many of the marine mammals are endangered and are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Why are they called that?
These inhabitants of the sea are true mammals: they have a four-chambered heart; they are warm-blooded; females give birth to live young and feed them milk; have hair on their skin.
Mammals can live underwater, but they breathe with lungs and not with gills, like all fish. Based on this, it becomes clear that mammals cannot stay under water for a long time. They need to constantly surface to replenish the supply of air in their blood. It is believed that marine mammals once lived on the surface of the earth. Some sea creatures can live both in water and on land.
Who are marine mammals?
Order Cetaceans, which includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. Siren squad including dugongs and manatees. Representatives of the order of carnivores, which include otters and sea otters. Pinnipeds, including seals and sea lions .
How long can mammals go without breathing?
Marine mammals can live underwater different quantities time. For example, whales can go from 2 to 40 minutes without breathing underwater. A sperm whale can not breathe underwater for up to an hour and a half. The seal stays underwater for 15 minutes, diving to a depth of up to 150 m. The Arctic Wedell seal dives to a depth of up to 600 m for 70 minutes.
What do marine mammals eat?
Marine mammals, like land mammals, are predators and herbivores. For example, sirens are the only vegetarians among marine mammals, and whales and dolphins are predators. Herbivorous mammals feed on various algae, while predators need animal food - fish, crustaceans, mollusks or small seals.
What is the largest marine mammal?
The largest marine mammal is the blue whale. Due to its size, it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Average length giant - 25 meters. And the average weight is 100 tons. Despite their terrifying appearance, whales are not dangerous to people, as they feed exclusively on fish and plankton.
What is the most dangerous marine mammal?
The most dangerous marine mammal is the killer whale. Despite the fact that it does not attack humans, it is still a formidable predator. Even whales are afraid of her. It’s not for nothing that the killer whale is called a whale killer. In addition to whales, she can hunt dolphins, sea lions, seals and fur seals, as well as their calves. There have been cases of killer whales attacking elk and deer that swam across narrow coastal channels.
Which marine mammal is the friendliest?
The friendliest marine mammal to humans is the dolphin. There are many known cases where dolphins saved people who were shipwrecked. Dolphins never attack people. Dolphins are very smart and scientists have found that their brains can be even more developed than the human brain. Dolphins are used in the treatment of childhood diseases. A man grateful to this wonderful animal immortalized him in monuments.
Like this interesting creatures are marine mammals. They are majestic and amazing. They are huge in size and can communicate with each other. Another characteristic of them is that they are peaceful and live their lives as families, caring and loving the members of their group.

Bibliography

Bogatyreva, N. A. In the kingdom of Neptune: script / N. A. Bogatyreva // Pedagogical creativity. – 2008. – No. 12. – P. 7–8.
Bulvanker, V. About whales and baby whales // From cat to whale / V. Bulvanker. – L., 1991. – P. 62–66.

About monuments to whales and dolphins.

Gik, E. Little brothers on pedestals: monuments to animals for services to people / E. Gik // Svet. – 2010. – No. 4. – P. 39–42.
Dozier, T. Whales and other marine mammals / T. Dozier; lane from English L. Zhdanova. – M., 1980. – 129 p.
Zhukov, B. Singing slug / B. Zhukov // Around the world. – 2009. – No. 3. – P. 96–104.

About whales.

Zotova, L. V. Inhabitants of the underwater world: a play for children 6–8 years old / L. V. Zotova // Books, sheet music and toys for Katyushka and Andryushka. – 2009. – No. 7. – P. 56–57. – (How beautiful this world is).
Zueva, S. V. Journey into the depths of the sea: theatrical production // Read, learn, play. – 2007. – No. 5. – P. 78–84.
Kryukova, N. S. Travel to undersea world: extracurricular activity/ N. S. Kryukova // Leisure at school. – 2002. – No. 3. – P. 14–16.
Molyukov, M.I. Animals of the Red Book of the USSR / M.I. Molyukov, O.L. Rossolimo. – M., 1989. – 192 p.
Animal behavior / vol. edited by A. Perminov - M., 2003. - 191 p. – ( Great encyclopedia nature).
Ryazantseva, L. M. “In the underwater kingdom of Neptune”: sea kaleidoscope / L. M. Ryazantseva // Pedagogical Council. – 2012. – No. 1. – P. 9–12.
Khersonov, A. When dolphins are “put under arms” / A. Khersonov // Miracles and adventures. – 2012. – No. 5. – P. 56–59.

On the use of dolphins in military affairs.

Shcherbakova, A. A. Inhabitants depths of the sea: February 19 – World Whale Day / A. A. Shcherbakova / Books, sheet music and toys for Katyushka and Andryushka. – 2009. – No. 12. – P. 55–57. – (Everything in the world is interesting).
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This and other literature on the topic can be found in the department of periodicals, local history and methodological department of the Central Bank named after. A.N. Zyryanova (Sverdlov St., 57).

Ecology

Fresh waters are vulnerable, but rich in life ecosystem. Compared to the amount of salt water on the planet, there is much less fresh water. Fresh water is vital for humans, so historically people tried to settle closer to lakes and rivers in order to freely use the water. Not only fish live in fresh waters, but also a large number of mammals that breathe air, but cannot live without an aquatic environment. Find out about the largest and interesting inhabitants lakes and rivers from all over the world.

1) Hippopotamus

These large mammals cool off by plunging their massive bodies into cool African ponds, rivers and lakes on for a long time– until 16 hours daily. Although they can hold their breath for half an hour if necessary, hippos usually stick their head out of the water. At night, hippos stop taking baths and go to browse the grass. If animals remain in the sun for a long time, they will quickly become dehydrated.

The hippopotamus, or hippopotamus as it is also called, has sharp fangs that can reach up to half a meter in length. They show their fangs to each other to determine which animal is dominant. Sometimes displaying powerful teeth is not enough, so animals get into bloody fights. Hippos are quite dangerous to humans.

2) Manatee

Manatees live in shallow warm waters rivers and can also live in salt water. These large mammals reach a weight of 600 kilograms. They are born underwater and never leave their home waters until death, but they are forced to swim to the surface of the water every few minutes to breathe air. Known as sea cows, manatees are herbivores that feed on a variety of species. marine plants, including algae and others. Several species of manatees live along Atlantic coast America, in West Africa and in the Amazon River.

3) Muskrat

The muskrat is a resident of wet areas, swamps and ponds, where it builds tunnels along the banks. The body length of this large rodent is about 30 centimeters, and the flat tail longer than body twice. Muskrats, or musk rats, are well adapted to life in water and begin to swim at the age of 10 days. They are well known for their communication abilities, able to exchange information with each other, and warn of approaching enemies with the help of a distinctive smell - musk.

4) Baikal seal

There are many seals in the world, but only one species is truly freshwater - Baikal seal. Animals live on Lake Baikal, Russia, the deep lake peace. Although new generations of Baikal seals are born every year on the shores of the lake, these animals are in serious danger of extinction. One of the reasons is illegal hunting, as well as environmental pollution from paper and pulp mills and other industrial facilities located around the lake.

5) Amazonian dolphin

Charismatic Amazonian dolphin uses echolocation to track fish and crustaceans in the murky waters of the Amazon River. During annual floods dolphins swim in flooded forests, hunting for prey between the trees. Dolphins are fairly easy to spot due to their pink or very pale colors. The color of dolphins and their natural curiosity make them easy prey for hunters who illegally capture these animals. In recent years, the population has declined significantly. The indigenous people of the Amazon, the Bouto people, have long believed that animals have superpowers and can transform into humans.

6) Capybara

The world's largest rodent, the capybara or capybara, can grow up to 130 centimeters in length and weigh about 66 kilograms. These water-loving mammals reach this weight by feeding on grass and aquatic plants.

Physically, capybaras have adapted very well to life in aquatic environment. They have webs between their toes that help them swim well. Animals can dive and stay underwater for 5 minutes or more. Capybaras are found in Central and South America in lakes, rivers and humid areas from Panama to Brazil and northern Argentina.

The Nature Conservancy is working with partners to conserve natural environment habitat for capybaras, including the wet grasslands of Llanos. The group is working with local landowners to establish private reserves in critical habitat as well as public protected areas in the province of Nasanare in northeastern Colombia.

Capybaras' eyes, ears and nostrils are located at the top of their heads, so they remain on the surface when the animals swim. These social mammals travel and live in groups where a large male dominates. Together they protect their territories where they live and feed. People hunt and farm capybaras for their meat and skins. Some Catholics in South America equate capybaras with fish, so they allow the meat of these animals to be eaten during Lent.

7) Beaver

Beavers are excellent engineers, second only to humans in matters of restructuring the landscape in their favor. Using powerful jaws and teeth, they cut down trees to produce wood and mud dams that are 1 to 3 meters high and over 30 meters long. Beaver dams block the path of rivers and streams and do not allow them to flood fields and forests. As a result, lakes are formed, which can be quite large. On lakes, beavers build huts from branches and mud, which they enter through underwater tunnels. Huts are needed to hide from enemies and store food supplies.

Although beavers are quite clumsy on land, they are excellent swimmers thanks to their webbed feet and long, flat tail-rudder, which allows them to reach speeds underwater of up to 8 kilometers per hour. The animals boast their natural swimming suit made of oily, water-repellent fur.

Beavers feed on aquatic plants, roots, leaves, bark and branches. Beavers have teeth that grow throughout their lives, so when they chew on wood, this prevents their teeth from growing too long and curved. One beaver can fell hundreds of trees a year. In 15 minutes, a beaver can knock down a tree with a diameter of 15 centimeters.

8) River otter

These water-loving mammals find great pleasure in swimming and diving. With the help of webbed feet they can swim quickly. They have special nostrils and ears that close in water, as well as water-repellent fur. Young otters begin to swim as early as 2 months of age. River otters live in burrows along the banks of rivers and lakes, where they can hunt fish.

9) Platypus

The platypus is an incredible mixture: it has a furry body like an otter, a beak like a duck, webbed feet and a flat tail like a beaver. Like all these animals, the platypus is a strong swimmer and spends most of its life in the water. Unlike otters and beavers, platypuses lay eggs—only a couple of mammals on the planet do so. Male platypuses have poisonous stings on their hind legs. The animals dig holes near the shore and feed on dug worms, mollusks and insects.

Exists large group animals whose whole life is closely connected with the water element. Most of them (approximately 118 species) are marine mammals(see photo). They are so different from their terrestrial counterparts that for a long time scientists doubted that they ever lived on land.

But the conclusions scientific research clearly showed that everything marine mammals appeared on land and only over time mastered the alien water element. The transition process probably began about 600 million years ago. It was then that the ancestors of modern cetaceans moved into the water. Currently, they have completely lost contact with land and appearance began to resemble fish.

However, the terrestrial origin of whales is beyond doubt. In the early stages of a baby whale's development, it grows four limbs, two of which disappear before birth (site note). Only the forelimbs turn into flippers. The whale's nostrils first grow at the end of the snout, later they move to the top of the head so that the animal can breathe without lifting its head out of the water.

In terms of its internal structure, a whale has much in common with a cow and a deer; they have the same structure digestive tract: multi-chambered stomach and very long intestines.

True, life in the water has led to the fact that the mass of the whale has increased greatly; now it is the largest of all animals.

Later, about 55 million years ago, the next order of mammals moved into the sea - the so-called sirens. The siren squad includes manatees and dugongs .

Like whales, they have completely adapted to the aquatic environment and can no longer live on land. They do not have hind limbs, but the front ones have not completely developed into flippers. The hulking manatee uses its front paws to lift food to its mouth and hold its young close while feeding. Researchers believe that manatees share a common ancestor with modern elephants.

Following the sirens, representatives of the pinniped family appeared in the seas; their ancestors mastered the water element about 30 million years ago. During this time, they did not even completely lose their body fur; it disappeared only in some of them.

In addition, all are well adapted to life on land. They go to sea only to get food, and spend the rest of their time in coastal zone. Pinniped cubs are born on land and, like their terrestrial counterparts, change their coat several times. Flippers allow them to move quite quickly on the ground, and powerful fangs And strong teeth protect well from various enemies. True, representatives of pinnipeds have already developed a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. It protects them well from hypothermia.

Pinnipeds also find food on land; in particular, they feed on bird eggs.

Watch the video with whales, aren’t they beautiful))