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WHAT DO BALEEN WHALES FEED ON?

Baleen whales mostly eat small creatures such as zooplankton and small fishes, which they come across in large swarms in the ocean. 

All baleen whales have baleen instead of teeth which they use to collect shrimp-like krill, plankton and small fish from the sea. 

These bristly baleen plates filter, sift, sieve or trap the whales’ favourite prey from seawater inside their mouths. 

Baleen is made out of keratin, the same protein that makes up our fingernails and hair. 

The baleen of the bowhead whale can be 13 inches (33 centimetres) long. 

Baleen whales include the humpback, minke, fin and blue whales.

They have clearly visible throat grooves which allow their mouths and throats to expand and balloon out as they gulp mouthfuls of seawater and food.

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