Whale Lab

Whales made their move towards living in the sea about 50 million years ago. They evolved to exploit this watery environment, developing streamlined bodies, remarkable feeding methods, and, for toothed whales, the ability to ‘see’ with sound.

Plunge into the world of whales. Discover how their bodies work and explore their extraordinary lifestyles – from some of the smallest dolphins to the mightiest creature on Earth.

Evolution

Whales evolved through many changes in climate, land mass, and oceans to become the extraordinary creatures seen today.

Feeding

Discover the difference between baleen whales (Mysticetes) and toothed whales (Odontocetes).

Whale sounds

The ability to produce and perceive sound is important for whales – to navigate, find food, and communicate.

Diversity

Using terms such as ‘whales’, ‘dolphins’, and ‘porpoises’ can be misleading when people want a clear picture of how whales are related. But what exactly is the difference?

Movement

Watch any whale in motion – such as a dolphin riding a boat's bow wave – and you'll notice that whales are superb swimmers.

Anatomy

Whales are mammals and have many of the features and systems of mammal anatomy.

Sperm whale skeletons

Sperm whales are the most widespread of whale species and two of them have made their way to the exhibition.

Reproduction

Whales mate underwater, while either stationary or swimming. Like most other large animals, whales have a low birth rate.

Whales in the wild

Whales are reknowned for the spectacular behaviour they exhibit at the water's surface. But they spend most of their time below the surface, hidden from view.