gape_size.RdProvides an estimate of the area of the mouth gape
gape_size(L, omega, alpha)Total body length (m)
Width of the mouth (m)
Angle between the tip of the baleen plates and outer edge of the baleen racks (rad)
Estimated gape area
The gape is assumed to be a disk sector defined by the height of the tallest baleen plate and the width of the mouth. The central angle can be estimated based on 3D models of right whales and bowhead whales developed from measurements taken during whaling, necropsies, and aerial photogrammetry studies