Stuff To Blow Your Mind

Blubber, Part 1

Dec 11, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of blubber, where hosts explore its unique role in marine mammals' insulation. Discover the striking comparison of human coziness to a whale's internal blanket and learn about the cellular makeup that makes blubber tougher than regular fat. Get insights on how blubber varies across species and during seasons, and why it’s essential for survival in icy waters. Plus, the striking adaptations of the bowhead whale reveal how blubber aids in migration and resilience against climate change!
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ANECDOTE

Ishmael's Blanket Moment From Moby Dick

  • Robert Lamb reads Ishmael's 'Night Gown' passage about sharing a blanket with Queequeg to illustrate cozy contrast with cold.
  • Ishmael argues that slight cold enhances the pleasure of warmth under a simple blanket.
INSIGHT

Blubber Is A Specialized Living Insulator

  • Blubber is a specialized, vascularized subcutaneous fat layer unique to marine mammals and shaped by evolution for thermal control and energy storage.
  • It also aids buoyancy, locomotion, and reveals individual and species dietary and environmental history.
INSIGHT

Blubber Acts Like A Tunable Thermostat

  • Blubber is highly vascularized and contains arteriovenous anastomoses that let animals modulate heat loss by routing blood flow.
  • This lets marine mammals rapidly switch between strong insulation and active heat dumping during exertion or warmer water.
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