[PDF] History of Collecting, Preparing and Degreasing Whale Skeletons at - Support Technique

Where did whale skeletons come from?

They give researchers clues about where the whales lived, what they ate, and even how they died. While the Smithsonian’s whale specimens now come from stranding networks and agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the earliest skeletons hail from an era dominated by whaling.

Why are whale skeletons important?

Whale skeletons act as windows into the lives of these elusive giants. They give researchers clues about where the whales lived, what they ate, and even how they died.

What kind of fishing gear was found in a whale's body?

Two varieties of fishing gear were found in this whale's body: light trolling gear and long-line gangion were hanging from her mouth, and a J-hook and a circle hook with gangion and snap was found in her stomach. Several bones were missing when NPS collected the skeleton 15 months after the whale was towed ashore.

How many whale bones are there?

Since the earliest bones were collected in the 1830s, the marine mammal collection has accumulated over 18,000 individual specimens; a number that continues to grow each year. “We are definitely the go-to museum for anyone doing whale research,” says John Ososky, a marine mammal specialist at the museum.