MARINE MAMMALS -
Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises
Seals

Marine mammals have lungs and breathe air - like people. Dolphins, porpoises and whales regularly come to the surface of the ocean to breath through "blowholes." Seals also breathe air; they have special nostrils that close underwater.

Fish "breath" using gills to remove oxygen from the water.

Marine mammals are warm-blooded and have hair - like people. The temperature inside their bodies stays the same regardless of the temperature of the environment around them.Seals have a dense coat of hair and a layer of fat under their skin, called "blubber," as protection from the cold. Whales don't have lots of hair, so they use a thick layer of blubber to insulate their internal organs.

Fish are cold-blooded animals - they take on the temperature of the watery environment they live in. Most fish have scales that cover their bodies.

Marine mammals give birth to live young and nurse their babies - like people. Baby marine mammals drink milk from their mothers' bodies

Fish lay eggs that develop into baby fish. Often the baby fish hatch and begin life without any parents.

 The National Marine Life Center Campaign