Weekly Online Lesson Online Lesson Archives Grade Level: 1-6 Subject: Earth Science

Gray Whales

More gray whales are dying this year than in years past, and scientists want to know why. Earlier this year, 65 gray whale carcasses (bodies) washed up on the shores of Mexico. This is where the whales start their yearly migration—the longest of any kind of whale. There were more strandings along the Pacific coast: 37 in California, 24 in Washington and Oregon, 7 in British Columbia, and 22 more in Alaska, where they feed during the summer months

Last year only 80 dead whales washed ashore. How many total were there this year? How many more were there this year than last year?

What's alarming is that the number of whale carcasses washed ashore represents only a small number of the actual deaths. Some scientists estimate that over 800 gray whales may have died this year.

But scientists don't seem concerned about the number of gray whales dying. It may actually turn out to be a good sign. They know the gray whale population is healthy (gray whales are no longer an endangered species), and that pollution isn't a problem. It's likely, then, that the whale population has simply reached its natural limit for the amount of food available. If you want to learn more, read this news article about the gray whale deaths.

In this online lesson you will learn  about the magnificent, healthy gray whale population of the Pacific ocean.

AquaFacts

To start your learning adventure, visit the Vancouver Aquarium (Canada's Pacific National Aquarium) and go the the AquaFacts - Gray Whale page. At the top of the page you can read a list of questions you may have about gray whales (eschrichtius robustus is the scientific name). Click on any question to get the answer.

Since scientists believe that gray whale deaths are related to the limited amount of food available, pay close attention to facts about how the gray whales eat and what they like to feed on.

Zoom Whales

There's more fun and learning to be had at the Enchanted Learning Web site. Click on Zoom Whales and explore this fun page about whales. There are two kinds of whales, toothed whales with peg-like teeth, and Baleen whales that have a way of filtering food from water. Which kind of whale is a gray whale? Read the Gray Whales page to find out.

At the bottom of the Gray Whales page you will find links to four fun whale activities: a gray whale print-out you can color, addition and subtraction activities, and a Gray whale word hunt.

Maybe you'd like to learn more about other kinds of whales. Click the Extreme Whales link to learn which whales are the biggest, smallest, fastest, and so on. Click Whale Myths to learn the difference between fact and fiction about whales. And for older kids, click Whale Evolution to learn about the ancient ancestors to our modern whales.

Virtual Whale Watching

If you live along the Pacific coast, or if you ever have a chance to visit, you may be able to take a whale watching tour and get close enough to see these magnificent animals face to face. If you don't think you'll ever get the chance, why not take a virtual whale watching tour? You can at the Prince of Whales Web site. Start at the virtual tour Orientation and then click the Next button at the bottom of the page to continue with the tour. The photo tour starts with orcas, bald eagles, and sea lions. If you would rather go straight to the gray whales, click here.

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