Ask+A+Scienctist8

1. Can ocean mammals such as whales, dolphins, etc., live in freshwater? Which ones do and do not?

They can live in freshwater, but only temporarily. This is due to the issues with their eyes and skins and lack of food in freshwater. There are freshwater marine mammels one called the River Dolphin.

2. In a natural life span, how many miles does the average whale swim? How far can a calf swim before she's weaned?

The gray whale is one of the longest migratory mammals. It travels around 10,000-14,000 miles a year. The average life span of the gray whale can be between 50-60 years. That's around 500,000-840,000 miles for their whole life span. Gray whale calfs can be weakened, which can take 7-8 months, when after traveling 5,000-7,000 miles.

3. How does a walrus eat with those huge tusks? Don't they block the food?

Walruses typically feed on mollusks such as clams. In one day they can eat up to 6 percent of their body weight! They find food by searching through the mud, they use their long whiskers to find their food. They move their snout through the mud as they search for food. They do not typically use their tusks for digging.