Why do whales spout water?
Whales spout when they breathe out through a hole on top of their head.
Pip’s answer
- Whales spout when they breathe out through a hole on top of their head.
- Whales breathe air like us, buddy, so they swim up to the top.
- Whoosh, their warm breath pops out and makes a cloud of tiny drops!
- Wow-ee, a big blue whale's spout can be taller than a house!
Try it together
Can you take a big breath and blow out like a whale?
For grown-ups
Whales are mammals that breathe air through blowholes on top of their heads. The spout is mostly warm, moist breath condensing in the cooler air, plus a little seawater around the blowhole. Scientists can identify some whale species by the shape of their spout.
Ask your child: How long can you hold your breath? Some whales hold theirs for over an hour!
More questions kids ask
- 🫁Why do we breathe?
- 🐬Why do dolphins jump out of the water?
- 🐟How do fish breathe underwater?
- 🐱Why do cats purr?
- 🐝Why do bees visit flowers?
- 🐦How do birds fly?
Got your own why?
Hold Pip, ask anything out loud, and watch the answer come to life.
Ask Pip your own question