Whales - Family Structure

Whale - Family Structure

Whale family structures are fascinating. One of the most important facts about whales is that they are particularly intelligent mammals and like humans, place much value on their families and the role that each member plays within the unit. Notably, the individual families also travel and migrate together in pods. Each family member continues to play a vital role within that pod, as a greater unit of the family. These groups demonstrate the sociable nature of whales and their unspoken cooperation with one another is evidence of the insight and sense of responsibility inherent to these animals.

Another interesting whale fact: whales tend to separate themselves into pods according to age and Pod of Sperm Whales sex. The whale cows and their calves travel together in pods of up to 30 members at a time, accompanied by one dominant bull. Cows without their calves, or whose calves are mature enough, act as midwives to pregnant and nursing mothers. They assist them with their birth by ensuring that the newborn reaches the surface of the water for air. Cows are also babysitters to the other mother's calves in her absence, and assist her with the care of her new baby in a general sense.

The calves stick close to their mothers for an average of three to six years. But this period can be even longer, depending on the individual calf and their species. Even after they have left their mother's side, they may still return to the main pod to visit her. Females are also known for returning to their first pod when they become pregnant with their own calf.

The youths of the group eventually branch off into a smaller juvenile pod. They will move into larger pods once they reach sexual maturity and begin to calve. In some cases, the juvenile pod is either replaced or broken away from by a 'bachelor pod', consisting of only the young bulls. Whales are considered 'juveniles' from about three years of age to approximately thirteen.

There is a dominant bull in each core pod, and he is responsible for the pod in which he resides. He is sexually mature and cares for his harem of cows and calves. The other males tend to stick to themselves, travelling separately from the rest of the main pod, as to respect the 'property' of the dominant bull. The dominant bull will rarely interact with the juvenile or bachelor pods. When he does mix with the juvenile cows, though, the opportunities for mating and introducing 'new blood' into the core pod increases.

This family- and pod structure is designed to protect the weak and the young of the group. Because whale calves do not mature as quickly as some other mammals do, they require time to grow and develop within a protected environment. The organisation of the dominant male and the group of mothering cows ensures that calves are isolated from the dangers of the deep.

Travelling in this way also ensures that whale migrations remain orderly and safe for all involved, preventing smaller family units from drifting off course or facing the dangers that come with isolation. Of course, whales are also social creatures and benefit from the close interaction with others of their sort. This level of mutual understanding and cooperation is another indication of the brilliance of the whale creation and instinct.

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