Whales are the largest animals on Earth, and they live deep in the oceans around our planet. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew learns about whales, how they live, how they communicate, and why they are important to ocean ecosystems.

Once hunted to near extinction, some whales are making a comeback. While others remain critically endangered. Above is the nearly extinct Right whale. Below are more photos of the critically endangered Beluga whale and the nearly extinct the Minkie whale.

Listeners discover that whales are mammals, which means they breathe air, give birth to live young, and feed their babies milk. Even though they live in water, they must come to the surface to breathe through a blowhole on the top of their heads. The Kids Crew also learns how some whales travel thousands of miles across the ocean during their yearly migrations.

Whales have a long history in appearing in stories. Hear The Whale and the Snail by Julia Donaldson, published by Puffin Books, and performed by the Kids Crew, the late Dr. Crawford MacCallum, and Dr. Enid Howarth.

The show also looks at the challenges whales face today. Ocean pollution, fishing nets, ship noise, and oil spills can harm whales and their habitat. 

Then we meet Dr. Melania Guerra, a marine biologist who researched whale songs and background noise interference in San Ignacio Lagoon, the birthing waters of Gray Whales. Dr. Guerra wants to know if croaker fish songs each afternoon are limiting communication in the lagoon.

As we hear the songs of whales, learn about how they have different songs in different places. 

Host Katie Stone talks with a Mexican pongero, or boat driver who teaches kids and adults about the friendly whales in San Ignacio Lagoon, off the western coast of Baja California. 

Take a trip under the sea with The Children’s Hour this week to learn about whales!

Whales was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Christina Stella, Eli Henley, Mackenzie Graunke, and Thaniel Lentz. Our learning guides are written by Amber Shiel. You can find this one at childrenshour.org. Look for the episode Whales.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a New Mexico nonprofit organization, and distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network. 

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