The Animals
Whales
Killer, blue, humpback, bowhead, and minke — all under growing pressure.
Whales too are experiencing lots of pressure from climate change. Many depend on krill, fish, or seals for food. As those numbers fall along with the melting ice, whales are struggling more and more.
Credit: BBC Earth
Traveling further for food
Some whales will have to travel further — or to different parts of the world — in order to find food and a suitable climate. Some, like blue whales (which feed on plankton), will have to deal with less food. Some, like beluga whales, will face similar challenges as the walruses, since they also feed on benthic organisms as well as fish.
The killer whales
Killer whales will likely push local species out of their habitats, steal their food sources, and give them illnesses. While killer whales are likely to benefit in the short term, they too will struggle as the food sources continue to disappear. Killer whales could have more frequent fights with walruses and polar bears as ice melts and they clump in the coldest regions. This will further harm all three populations.
Killer Whale Presence Drives Bowhead Whale Selection for Sea Ice — PNAS →
Credit: National Geographic
Additionally, there are a variety of killer whale types, each with their own feeding habits, ranges, and traits. Many will face additional pressure as their food sources shrink, their ranges change, and their encounters with new unfamiliar organisms grow.
Special thanks to Carlos Navarro and Steve Zeff for their whale expertise and assistance with this section!
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