About Blue whale:
- Blue whales are the largest animals ever to live on our planet.
- Whales are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the overall health of the marine environment.
- Habitat: They are found in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean.
- They generally migrate seasonally between summer feeding grounds and winter breeding grounds
- Lifespan: The average lifespan is estimated at around 80 to 90 years. Scientists can estimate the age of whales by counting the layers of wax-like earplugs collected from deceased animals.
- Behaviour and Diet
- They sometimes swim in small groups but are more often found alone or in pairs.
- They generally spend summers feeding in polar waters and undertake lengthy migrations towards the equatorial waters as winter arrives.
- The primary diet whale is krill—tiny shrimp-like animals, but fish and copepods (tiny crustaceans) may occasionally be part of the blue whale’s diet.
- Conservation Status
- IUCN: Endangered
Q1) What are charactertistics of Mammals?
All mammals have mammary glands, which are specialized organs that produce milk to nourish their young. The word “mammal” is derived from “mamma,” meaning breast or teat.Mammals typically have hair or fur covering their bodies, although some species may have very little or no hair.
Source: Andhra Pradesh: Carcass of blue whale washes ashore at Meghavaram beach in Srikakulam district
Last updated on January, 2026
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Interview Guidance Programme for expert help to crack your final UPSC stage.
→ UPSC Mains Result 2025 is now out.
→ UPSC Notification 2026 is scheduled to be released on January 14, 2026.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 has been released.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ Prepare effectively with Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Prelims Test Series 2026 featuring full-length mock tests, detailed solutions, and performance analysis.
→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s Best UPSC Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.
→ UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
→ UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India


