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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

    Evolution

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

  • Diversity

    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?

  • Whale sounds

    Whale sounds

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

  • Feeding

    Feeding

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

  • Movement

    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

    Anatomy

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

  • Sperm whale skeletons

    Sperm whale skeletons

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

  • Reproduction

    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 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.