How whales open their huge mouths

[dipsydoodle]

Researchers have discovered how very large whales co-ordinate their jaw muscles and bones to take gigantic mouthfuls of prey.

For a blue whale, the largest animal that has ever existed, each mouthful can scoop up 100 tonnes of krill-filled water in less than 10 seconds.

Scientists have now found a sensory organ in whales' jaws which they say links bones and muscles to the brain, making the vast lunging gulps possible.

They report their findings in Nature.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18174525

[intaglio]

1. They should have checked out Republicans

specifically Rust Limberger

[lastlib]

2. A miniature brain attached to a large jaw,...

with a lot of blubber behind it--yep, it's Rush all right.

Profound apologies to all whales whom I have offended.

[Solly Mack]

3. and he looks so satisfied too!

[yesphan]

4. That's cool.

This, not so much.....

"The study, carried out with colleagues from the University of British Columbia, was possible because the team had access to carcasses landed at a whaling station in Iceland."