The Majestic Blue Whale
The blue whale, scientifically known as Balaenoptera musculus, is a marine mammal belonging to the suborder of baleen whales. At 98 feet in length and weighing in at 180 metric tons on average, the blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever existed—including the dinosaurs!
Long and slender, the blue whale’s body can be various shades of bluish-grey dorsally and somewhat lighter underneath. Their diet consists almost exclusively of small crustaceans known as krill; an adult blue whale can eat up to 40 million krill in a single day!
Blue whales were abundant in nearly all oceans on Earth until the beginning of the twentieth century. For over one hundred years, they were hunted almost to extinction by whalers until protected in the international community in 1966. A 2002 report estimated that there were only 5,000 to 12,000 blue whales living worldwide.
While you may not get the chance to view the majesty of a blue whale in its natural habitat, many museums around the United States have models of the species. The Natural History Museum in London contains a famous mounted skeleton and life-sized model of a blue whale—both the first of their kind in the world. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City has a full-sized model in its Milstien Family Hall of Ocean Life. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, features a life-size model of a mother blue whale with her calf suspended from the ceiling of its main hall.
Blue whales may be encountered—although rarely—on whale-watching cruises in the Gulf of Maine. They can also be seen off Southern California at peak times of the year, typically July to September. If you are interested in learning more about marine animals, be sure to check out our online educational bookstore, or give Beyda and Associates a call today at (407)438-6700.
Dolphins: Majestic Conspirators of the Sea
If the world was going to end due to the intervention of alien life forms, dolphins would know far in advance and proceed to construct a space vessel underwater to deploy to another water-laden planet. Of course, this sounds a lot like “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe” but according to sophisticated sonar deciphering technology, this is a proven fact; along with the fact that dolphins abhor Division II College Football in the Midwest. Though we find dolphins lovable for their gymnastic-related antics and squeaky yet adorable animal call, it’s tough not to always wonder if they’re plotting to take over the world.
Take a dive underwater and attempt to uncover the lair of the dolphin bourgeoisie. By embracing their advanced culture, you too can grasp the telepathic ways that dolphins manipulate their trainers into giving them more fish and let them practice their backflips. Perhaps by indulging in our aquatic selection of books, you can get a better understanding of these brilliant creatures without having to endure The Bends or waft the salty, fishy smells of the ocean.
To learn more about the sea life print, film, and sound Beyda & Associates’ offers, call 866-702-3932.
Steven Sold Seashells by the Seashore
Hard outer shells are often times related to macho men that refuse to utilize their tear ducts during sad, sappy films. Pertaining to nature, shells are more of an exo-skeleton, housing the often gelatinous and frail innards of sea creatures. Though we often times admire the shells of creatures, and proceed to prod them with sharp objects, it is inconclusive whether or not they feel pain. Instead of taking out childlike aggressions on crustaceans, we should learn to pamper them with a light leaf of lettuce, wedge of lemon, and ramekin filled with melted garlic butter.
If you frequent the beach and are always flabbergasted by thin, porous shards of something scattered along the shoreline, it is about time you learned what a seashell is. Our large selection of books about shells will have you yearning for a impenetrable barrier around your exterior.
To learn more about the seashell print, film, and sound Beyda & Associates’ offers, call 866-702-3932.
Under the Sea….
“She sells sea shells by the sea shore.” This well known tongue twister is all about the sea. Do you enjoy the sea life? Dolphins? Manatees? Sharks?
Beyda & Associates has a selection of books and DVDs with all of your favorite sea life – from the wildlife all the way to the shells!
View the selection of Sea Life books and DVDs here. At check out, type in the code “public” to receive 30% off of your entire purchase!
To learn more about Beyda & Associates’ selection of print, sound, and film, call 866-702-3932.
