Displaying items by tag: blubber

Phocid seals, like other pinnipeds, have a layer of hair and a specialized fat layer called blubber.  Blubber serves many functions but chief among them are providing thermal protection and serving as an energy storage depot.  

The integument of a cetacean is more than just fat! Indeed the integument, commonly called blubber, of cetaceans is a very special organ because it performs multiple functions. Blubber is a fat filled tissue which covers the body of the animal and keeps the animal warm in a cold, thermally conductive environment. But blubber is also an energy storage depot and helps streamline the body, reducing drag.

The integument (skin or pelt) of marine mammals is a very special organ! In cetaceans (dolphins, porpoises, whales) the skin is smooth and sleek and feels very similar to a hard boiled egg. In pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and fur seals), the skin is covered in a layer of hair which can vary greatly in its thickness depending on the species.