Baleen

Baleen is a filter-feeding system found in certain whales, like baleen whales, which includes species such as the humpback and blue whale. Instead of teeth, these whales have baleen plates made of keratin (the same substance as human nails) hanging from their upper jaws. When feeding, they take in large amounts of water and then push it out through the baleen, trapping small organisms like krill and plankton inside. This adaptation allows them to efficiently consume vast quantities of tiny prey from the ocean, making it a key factor in their survival and ecological role.