Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Pseudoscience-is-malarkey on 30/04/2023 19:32:11

Title: At what age should we start talking to our kids about whales?
Post by: Pseudoscience-is-malarkey on 30/04/2023 19:32:11

I think we can all agree that our kids should know more about whales. I and people like me propose to integrate kids, with their mental capacity, into reading and watching documentaries and nature films about whales. It doesn't have to be the same graphic stuff that adults are watching, but they need to know what whales are. It's inevitable that our kids will come to us saying something to the effect of "I heard about such and such in school". The normal response of a parent is to explain to them about whales based on what they need to know. Knowing that whales are large is simply not enough.

Title: Re: At what age should we start talking to our kids about whales?
Post by: alancalverd on 30/04/2023 23:33:42

How much would be enough?

Whales are aquatic mammals

Some are filter feeders that consume mostly crustacea, some are pursuit predators that eat fish, birds and mammals.

Some migrate over very large distances, some stay in a more restricted territory

.....one could go on, but to what extent and why? And why not dugongs? Or cuttlefish?

And why the need to know? If you live in Helena, whales are  pretty much irrelevant, but if you live in Seattle, they may be part of your daily life.