gulp feeding
Quick Summary
Gulp feeding is a method used by some baleen whales, particularly rorquals, to consume prey. This behavior involves the whale opening its mouth wide to engulf a large volume of water containing prey. The whale then closes its mouth, expels the water through its baleen plates, and swallows the concentrated food. This technique is facilitated by ventral grooves in rorquals, which allow their oral cavities to expand significantly.1
Deep-sea fish known as gulpers also exhibit a form of feeding related to their large mouths and expandable stomachs, enabling them to consume large prey. These fish, found at great depths, are typically black and some possess light organs.2
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rorqual…into the throat and make gulp-feeding practical (see cetacean: Feeding adaptations).
Read More…into the throat and make gulp-feeding practical (see cetacean: Feeding adaptations).
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cetaceanFeedingIn gulp feeding, the whale opens its mouth to take in a huge mouthful of water, closes its mouth, strains the water out through the baleen apparatus along the sides of the mouth, and swallows its prey. Gulp feeding is common in rorquals, which have ventral…
Read MoreIn gulp feeding, the whale opens its mouth to take in a huge mouthful of water, closes its mouth, strains the water out through the baleen apparatus along the sides of the mouth, and swallows its prey. Gulp feeding is common in rorquals, which have ventral…
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