Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• contrast the physical properties of air and water and describe implications of such differences for aquatic mammals

• give examples of the adaptations displayed by aquatic mammals that enable them to hold their breath while submerged for relatively long periods

• describe some of the biological differences between pinnipeds, sirenians and cetaceans

• discuss the importance of communication by sound in aquatic mammals, describe the role of blubber and explain countercurrent heat exchange

• explain the diving response and its significance in natural dives.