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Ocean Portal by The Smithsonian Institution

Mammals

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PHOTO Common Dolphin and Calf Toothed whales, like this common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and its calf, live in social groups called pods. The mother and calf form a pair that shares a long-term bond. Read more about to...MORE PHOTOS


	PHOTO MORE PHOTOS Hawaiian Monk Seal The endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is one of hundreds of...
	PHOTO MORE PHOTOS Florida Manatee in a Fresh Water Spring Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) swimming within a fresh water s...
	PHOTO MORE PHOTOS Humpback Whale Breaching Breaching is a behavior seen in some baleen whales, where they launch their enti...

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					West Indian Manatee Portrait May 17, 2013 - 9:24AMWest Indian Manatees, Trichechus manatus, are found in warm, shallow coastal ecosystems along the southeastern North America and northeastern South America. They graze plants in mangrove ecosystems and seagrass beds, occasionally...

Humpback Whale in Antarctic Waters

Apr 4, 2013 - 9:22AM

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) can be found in Antarctic waters...

Harp Seal, Prince Edward Island National Park, Canada

Apr 3, 2013 - 9:04AM

Harp seals are protected in the United States by the Marine Mammal...

SPOTLIGHT


Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP) The TOPP program brought together scientists from seven countries to explore the lives of large mid-water animals such as...

A Tale of a Right Whale Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am Since 1987, researchers have been tracking the North Atlantic right whale named Phoenix. More about Phoenix can be found in the Tale of a Whale photo essay.	Hawaiian Monk Seal Sep 5 2012 - 9:24am The endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is one of hundreds of marine species that can be found cruising the waters of Papahānaumokuākea, a chain of islands northwest of the main Hawaiian archipelago. Papahānaumokuākea was listed as a Marine World Heritage Site in August 2010.
Narwhals Breaching Jul 27 2012 - 11:00am Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are a type of toothed whale, best known for their long unicorn-like tusk. The tusk is normally found on male narwhals and is actually a tooth.	Manatees Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am A manatee swimming in shallow waters. The West Indian manatee is listed on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species as Vulnerable. More about mangroves can be found in our Mangroves featured story.
Common Dolphin and Calf Aug 1 2012 - 12:07pm Toothed whales, like this common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and its calf, live in social groups called pods. The mother and calf form a pair that shares a long-term bond. Read more about toothed whales with our fact sheet.	Acrobatic Blue Whales Do the Twist While Feeding Jan 8 2013 - 12:06pm I have a vivid childhood memory of sitting under the Blue Whale model hanging in the Natural History Museum in London, eating an ice cream and wondering “How in the world did that whale get so big?” These days we are closer to knowing the answer. Over the past several years, a group of researchers...
Polar Bear on the Ice Jan 14 2013 - 11:22am Polar bears have evolved to survive in the Arctic with large, oar-like front paws for better swimming, as well as insulating blubber, and two layers of fur for the frigid temperatures. They rely on pack ice, traveling thousands of miles in a year looking for food (mostly ringed and bearded seals,...	Baleen in Action Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am The fringed baleen plates are easy to observe as this North Atlantic right whale skims the water’s surface while it feeds. Many baleen whales suck in as much water was possible, and then push it out through their baleen to sieve out any krill. Right whales, however, skim the water's surface. More...
Stumpy’s Tail Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am A view of the injured fluke belonging to Phoenix’s mother, Stumpy. It is not known what caused this injury. It possibly could have been an entanglement. More about whales can be found in our Tale of a whale featured story.	Polar Bears, Cape Churchill, Manitoba, Canada Dec 23 2010 - 2:01pm “In late November, land-locked polar bears gather along the Hudson Bay to await the formation of Arctic ice so they can return to their seal-hunting grounds for the winter.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Alan Zipp. See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's...
North Atlantic Right Whale Breaching Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am The North Atlantic right whale is one of the world's largest animals, but scientists estimate that fewer than 450 remain. Find out why so few remain and take a look at the largest whale.	Florida Manatee Dec 19 2011 - 2:33pm A Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, swims down a narrow channel into a freshwater spring late in the day.
Meet Phoenix—One of about 450 remaining North Atlantic Right Whales Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am Since 1987, researchers have been tracking Phoenix. More about whales can be found in our Tale of a whale featured story.	Sperm Whale, Dominica Jun 21 2011 - 12:28pm “For the past few years I have visited the island of Dominica to enjoy its beauty both above and below the surface. This photo was taken during a lucky encounter with a member of the ‘group of 7’ pod. A very young calf measuring about 25 feet long came over and played with us for well over 45...
Whale Collections Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am The Smithsonian has more whale skulls and skeletons than any other collection in the world. This photo provides a small glimpse of the amazing variety of skulls and skeletons available for study. Visit the Marine Mammal Program on the National Museum of Natural History's website to find out...	Phoenix and Her Calf Sighted in February 2012 Apr 24 2012 - 11:28am Phoenix, the North Atlantic right whale whose replica hangs from the ceiling of the Sant Ocean Hall at the National Museum of Natural History, was sighted with a calf off of Amelia Island in Florida on February 22, 2012.