Many people think whales are fish, but they are actually mammals. That is, like other mammals, they give birth to live young and nourish them with mother's milk.
Whale calves are born underwater and are completely dependent on their mothers from the first days of their lives. The most interesting aspect is that the milk they drink is exceptionally thick and fatty, unlike usual milk. The reason for this is a special adaptation so that the milk does not dissolve quickly in water and reaches the calf.
Experts state that the fat content in whale milk is extremely high, which is vital for the calf's rapid growth and survival in cold water conditions. Consequently, a newborn whale calf consumes dozens of liters of milk per day and can gain an average of 80–100 kilograms daily.
Additionally, whales regularly surface to breathe because they breathe using lungs rather than gills like fish. This serves as another key characteristic confirming they are mammals.
In conclusion, despite their massive size, whales are unique mammals distinguished by their specific biological traits and the care they provide for their young.
