U
Upwelling: The process of nutrient-rich water being raised upward along the edges of the continental shelf through offshore currents.
V
Ventral : Pertaining to the undersside or lower part of the
body.
Ventral Grooves : In some baleen whales, the furrows extending backwards from
the chin.
Viviparous Reproduction : Bearing live young that have received nutrients from
the mother during development.
W
Wake-riding : Swimming in the frothy wake of a vessel.
Whale : The general term applied to any large cetacean, and a specific one applied
to certain smaller ones.
Whalebone : Comb-like plates hanging from the upper jaw of some large whales,
used to filter small prey from the water. Otherwise known as baleen.
Whale lice : Small, crab-like parasites that cling to and live upon some species
of whale.
Whaling : The intentional hunting and killing of whales for the meat, blubber,
oil and other products.