Question

Baleen whales eat zooplankton by taking a large amount of water into their mouth. These whales use special structures in their mouth to separate zooplankton from the water. Because baleen whales eat zooplankton, what type of organisms do they most likely compete with for food?

A. Phytoplankton
B. Krill
C. Fish
D. Seaweed

Answer 1

Baleen whales compete with krill for food because both consume zooplankton, and krill are small, shrimp-like organisms also reliant on zooplankton as a primary food source.

Step-by-step explanation:

Baleen whales most likely compete for food with other organisms that feed on zooplankton. The correct answer is B. Krill, as they also consume zooplankton and are a vital part of the oceanic food web.

Zooplankton form an essential part of the diet for many marine creatures. Because baleen whales and krill both primarily consume zooplankton, they are in direct competition for this food source. Krill are small, shrimp-like organisms that eat phytoplankton and are themselves a major part of the diet for a variety of oceanic species, including baleen whales. This relationship sets the stage for potential competition as both baleen whales and krill depend on zooplankton for their survival, impacting the dynamics of the marine food web. Therefore, understanding these interactions is essential for marine biology and the conservation of these species.