Recommended for: Grades 3-5
Resource: Whale and Human Ears
Media Type:
PDF Document
Size: 155.9 KB
Whales rely on their sense of hearing the way humans rely on vision. And yet, as this diagram illustrates, the anatomy of whale ears is surprisingly similar to that of our own ears. Two versions of the diagram -- one labeled and one unlabeled -- are provided, giving students the opportunity to learn the anatomical parts of each ear, and then test their knowledge by labeling their own diagram.
Teachers' Domain, Whale and Human Ears, published September 26, 2003, retrieved on ,
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.colt.ears/
- Background Essay
- Questions for Discussion
- Standards
Print Background EssayBecause of these differences, many marine animals have adapted to life under water in ways that emphasize sound and their sense of hearing, while de-emphasizing sight. Dolphins and whales, or cetaceans as these animals are known collectively, specialize probably more than any other type of marine animal in their use of sound. Not only do they hear very well -- some species hear more than 50 percent better than humans do -- but many have also evolved vocalizations specialized for communication, navigation, and locating food.
Communication is probably the most important use of sound among cetaceans. Using clicks, whistles, and songs, often in combination, whales and dolphins keep tabs on members of their family or social group. This is especially important during long-distance migrations, in the middle of chaotic feeding frenzies, and more regularly simply to reassure members of the group that all are present and accounted for.
Many marine mammals also use sound to navigate through their environment and to find food. In a manner similar to bats, some whales and dolphins use what scientists call echolocation to learn about the size, shape, and distance of objects around them that they are unable to see. They do this by emitting high-frequency clicks and whistles and then listening for those sounds to echo, or bounce off the objects. To a whale or dolphin, vocalizations bouncing off of structures on the ocean floor sound much different from those bouncing off of a school of fish or squid. Many species possess such highly attuned echolocation abilities that they are able to find and catch prey in complete darkness.
We assign reference terms to each statement within a standards document and to each media resource, and correlations are based upon matches of these terms for a given grade band. If a particular standards document of interest to you is not displayed yet, it most likely has not yet been processed by ASN or by Teachers' Domain.
Loading Standards
Teachers' Domain is proud to be a Pathways portal to the National Science Digital Library.
Please answer this survey question:
Thank you!
Your response has been received. Thanks for helping improve Teachers' Domain!
Source: David Lerman, Marine Biology: Environment, Diversity, and Ecology
Resource Produced by:
Collection Developed by:
Collection Funded by:
