Wikipedia:Today's featured article/requests/Baleen whale

Baleen whale

 * This is the archived discussion of the TFAR nomination for the article below. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests). Please do not modify this page. 

The result was: scheduled for Today's featured article/June 5, 2016 by — Chris Woodrich (talk) 04:17, 21 May 2016 (UTC)



Baleen whales are a widely distributed and diverse parvorder of carnivorous marine mammals. They are classified in the parvorder Mysticeti and comprise the families Balaenidae, Balaenopteridae, Cetotheriidae, and Eschrichtiidae. There are 15 species of baleen whale. While cetaceans were historically thought to have descended from mesonychids, but molecular evidence supports them as relatives of even-toed ungulates. Baleen whales split from toothed whales around 34 million years ago. Male strategies for reproductive success vary between performing ritual displays (whale song) or lek mating. The meat, blubber, baleen, and oil of baleen whales have traditionally been used by the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Once relentlessly hunted by commercial industries for these products, cetaceans are now protected by international law. Besides hunting, baleen whales also face threats from marine pollution, ocean acidification, and sonar, which results in strandings. They have rarely been kept in captivity, and there were few successful attempts.
 * Most recent similar article(s): 11 December 2015 pallid sturgeon
 * Main editors: Dunkleosteus77
 * Promoted: 18 May 2016
 * Reasons for nomination:
 * Support as nominator.  User:Dunkleosteus77 &#124;push to talk 01:08, 19 May 2016 (UTC)