- Current section: Introduction - Learning outcomes - 1 The
pinnipeds, sirenians and cetaceans - 2 Living in the water - 3
The ‘diving response’ - 4 The evolution of whales from The Open
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'Enter'. - Tuesday 18th June - Wednesday 19th June Studying
mammals: Return to the water Some of the most unusual and
versatile of all the mammals are... Some of the most unusual and
versatile of all the mammals are the groups that live, feed and
reproduce underwater. In this unit we will see how these
formerly land-based mammals adapted to a return to the water,
discussing such challenges as breathing, movement and
communication. This is the seventh unit in the ‘Studying
mammals’ series. By the end of this unit you should be able to:
- contrast the physical properties of air and water and describe
implications of such differences for aquatic mammals; - give
examples of the adaptations displayed by aquatic mammals that
enable them to hold their breath while subm