, or velryby as they are known in Czech and Slovak, are the largest and most mysterious inhabitants of our oceans. Despite their fish-like appearance, they are marine mammals, belonging to the scientific infraorder . From their ancient land-dwelling ancestors to their complex social behaviors today, whales represent some of the most remarkable evolutionary success stories on Earth. Anatomy and Evolution
These whales have fringed plates made of keratin (the same material as human hair) instead of teeth. They use these plates to filter massive quantities of tiny prey like krill and plankton from the water. VeДѕryba
Today, whales are divided into two primary groups based on how they eat: , or velryby as they are known in
The history of the whale began approximately 50 million years ago on land. Scientists have traced their ancestry back to small, four-legged mammals like Pakicetus , which lived near lakes and rivers. Over millions of years, these creatures adapted to a fully aquatic lifestyle, losing their hind legs and transforming their forelimbs into streamlined flippers for steering. Anatomy and Evolution These whales have fringed plates
This group includes sperm whales, orcas, and dolphins. They possess conical teeth designed for grasping larger prey like fish and squid.