Learn why whales enjoy eating tiny shrimp-like creatures called plankton. A simple and fun explanation for kids about whale diets and plankton.
Hi there! Let’s talk about why whales love eating tiny shrimp called plankton.
First, what is plankton? Plankton are very small animals and plants that float in the ocean. Some plankton look like tiny shrimp—these little animals are called krill, and they are a favorite food for many whales.
Now, whales are huge animals, much bigger than people! But they don’t have big teeth to catch big food. Instead, many whales use a special way to eat called filter feeding. They open their huge mouths underwater and take in a big gulp of water full of tiny plankton and krill.
Then, the whale pushes the water out through special plates called baleen plates in its mouth. These plates act like a filter, catching the tiny shrimp and plankton inside. It’s like using a strainer to catch pasta but for tiny food!
The whale then swallows the krill and plankton, getting lots of energy from eating many tiny shrimp. Even though the shrimp are very small, whales eat thousands of them every day to stay big and strong.
Isn’t it amazing how such a huge animal eats such tiny food? That’s why tiny shrimp called plankton are a whale’s favorite meal!