4 ms·

Curious choice of words. Are we too predators or gentle giants (from smaller animals' perspective)?

• ajross 9y ago
  It's just a dumb headline. All whales are predators. Some just evolved to filter crustaceans out of the water intead of tearing flesh off off fish. Krill are still animals. Gray whales are still carnivores. But yes: early whales had a lifestyle that looked more like a dolphin's than a humpback's, which isn't surprising since a humpback skull works very poorly for hunting animals on land, which is where their common ancestor came from. What's actually more interesting is that the only other living descendant of that common ancestor isn't a predator at all, nor does it look like one. It's the Hippo.
  • gozur88 9y ago
    Gray whales and sperm whales are carnivores. So are Humpback whales, which switch off between krill and small fish (like sardines), depending on what's available. Also, hippos have been observed killing and eating other animals, so they've been moved into the "mostly herbivorous but enjoy a meaty snack on occasion" category.