LESSER RORQUAL Meaning and
Definition
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The Lesser Rorqual, scientific name Balaenoptera acutorostrata, is a species of marine mammal belonging to the Balaenopteridae family, commonly known as the rorquals or baleen whales. It is considered as the smallest species within the genus Balaenoptera. The Lesser Rorqual is characterized by its long and slender body, reaching an average length of 6 to 8 meters in adulthood, although some individuals can grow up to 10 meters. They can weigh between 4 to 7 tons.
These whales possess a bluish-gray or dark gray coloration on their upper body, while their ventral side is lighter. They have a distinctive dorsal fin located about two-thirds along their backs and a series of ventral grooves on their throat that allow for efficient feeding when they engulf large quantities of prey-rich water.
Lesser Rorquals are known for their amazing feeding technique called "lunge feeding". By opening their large mouths, they engulf large volumes of water and prey, consisting primarily of small fish and krill, and then expel the water through their baleen plates, retaining the prey for consumption.
Their distribution spans across various oceans, usually favoring subpolar and temperate waters. They are often found in high latitudes during the summer months when their primary food sources are abundant.
Overall, the Lesser Rorqual is an incredible marine mammal known for its grace and agility in the water, vital ecological role as a filter feeder, and its significant contributions to the marine ecosystem, making it a fascinating species to study and conserve.
Common Misspellings for LESSER RORQUAL
- kesser rorqual
- pesser rorqual
- oesser rorqual
- lwsser rorqual
- lssser rorqual
- ldsser rorqual
- lrsser rorqual
- l4sser rorqual
- l3sser rorqual
- leaser rorqual
- lezser rorqual
- lexser rorqual
- ledser rorqual
- leeser rorqual
- lewser rorqual
- lesaer rorqual
- leszer rorqual
- lesxer rorqual
- lesder rorqual
Etymology of LESSER RORQUAL
The word "Lesser Rorqual" is a combination of two terms: "lesser" and "rorqual".
The term "lesser" is derived from the Old English word "lǣssa", which means "smaller" or "inferior". In this context, it refers to the fact that the Lesser Rorqual (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) is smaller in size compared to other species of rorqual whales.
The term "rorqual" comes from the Norwegian word "rørhval", which means "furrow whale". This name was given to these whales because of the grooves or pleats along their throats and bellies that allow their throat pouches to expand during feeding. The main characteristic of rorqual whales is the presence of these pleats or ventral grooves.
