do whales drink sea water?

Answer 1

The chapter dealing with the metabolism and physiology of whales in the book "Whales" by E. J. Slijper (Hutchinson of London, 1979) discusses the problems of obtaining/maintaining water balance in whales. The ocean is like a desert environment for marine mammals (...water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink!). Marine mammals have a number of mechanisms for reducing water loss and of obtaining fresh water. Those that eat fish essentially strain all of the sea water from their food prior to swallowing it.

Those that eat invertebrates (whose tissues are essentially isosmotic with sea water), must eliminate excess salt through enhanced kidney function. Marine mammals have large, highly lobulated kidneys, consistent with their need to produce large volumes of relatively concentrated urine. Water is produced metabolically by whales as a breakdown product of fat metabolism. Their skin is also very impermeable to water loss (no sweat glands), and the air at the surface of the sea (where they breathe) is so humid that the water lost through this route is minimal.

Answer 2

Do Whales Drink

Answer 3

They don't rly need to. The water they take in when they eat krill or fish, or algea, is enough so they don't rly need to 'drink'.

Answer 4

sea water has too much salt in it

Answer 5

of course they drink (swallow) it but they will keep the water for a while and boost it out back.

Answer 6

No, they drink Aquafina

Answer 7

haven't you seen them all at the beach bar? they only drink beer.

Answer 8

NO they technically do not.