If I were to remove a whale, dolphin, etc. (no fish, only marine mammals) from the water they would obviously die, even if they were fed well.
Why is that??? Is it simply because their skin dries out and the absence of water?
I mean they don't need water to breathe like fish, they have blowholes. So is it their skin???
2006-10-02 15:48:00 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
The main reason is that there is no support for their bodies - in other words, whales and dolphins spend their whole lives supported by the pressure and bouyancy of the water. It's sort of like when you get out of a swimming pool after an hour or so - you feel like you weigh a ton until you again get used to the atmospheric pressure.
So basically these marine animals suffocate and collapse under their own weight. The skin is also an issue - but secondary to the lack of water support.
2006-10-02 15:54:47 · answer #1 · answered by Schrecken 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are accustomed to the buoyancy of the water. It helps to support their large mass. When out of water the weight of the animal is no longer supported by the buoyancy, and the weight of the animal actually crushes its lungs so they cannot expand during breathing.
2006-10-02 22:52:08 · answer #2 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are eventually crushed under the weight of their own bodies. The water keeps them boyant and therefore there is no pressure on their lungs. Their skin drying out, is uncomftorable for them.
2006-10-03 15:47:02 · answer #3 · answered by ~mj~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because of the large mass of weight they have to carry.
2006-10-02 23:50:55 · answer #4 · answered by Mousey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the wieght of their bodies suffucate them,skin needs water for hydation but it's the lack of o2 that kills them
2006-10-02 22:56:57 · answer #5 · answered by Wolf53590 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋