KidZone Animals
Whales: Science

"Humpback whale fluke"; used with permission under CC BY-SA 3.0

Whales are mammals, more specifically marine mammals (mammals that live in the oceans). They are carnivores, which means that they need meat to survive.

Whales exist within the order Cetacea.

Main Groups of Whales

Whales are divided into two main suborders:

Mysticeti (Baleen Whales)

Description: These whales filter plankton through baleen plates instead of having teeth.
Examples: Gray, Blue, Humpback, and Right whales.
Characteristics: Usually larger but slower compared to toothed whales.

Odontoceti (Toothed Whales)

Description: These whales have teeth and hunt for their food.
Examples: Sperm, Beluga, and Narwhal whales.
Characteristics: Generally smaller and faster than baleen whales, although the Sperm whale is quite large.

Physical Features of Cetaceans

Fins and Flukes: Cetaceans have two side fins (pectoral fins), flukes (flipper-like tails), and in some cases, dorsal fins (but not all species).
Blowholes: Baleen whales have two blowholes, while toothed whales have one.

Leanne Guenther

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