Questions and Answers
What are whales, dolphins, and porpoises classified as?
There are about 90 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
True
What type of bodies do whales, dolphins, and porpoises have?
streamlined
Where are the nostrils of whales, dolphins, and porpoises located?
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What is another term for nostrils in whales, dolphins, and porpoises?
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Whales, dolphins, and porpoises are divided into three main groups.
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Toothless whales are known for what type of feeding?
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Toothed whales are known for what type of feeding?
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What are toothed whales known to feed on?
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Toothed whales swallow their food ______.
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How many openings does a toothed whale's blowhole have?
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What is the largest type of whale?
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What is the largest baleen whale?
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Blue whales can grow up to ______ in length and weigh ______ tons.
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What is the record weight of a blue whale?
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Blue whales feed by ______ fish and krill.
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Which whales are referred to as rorquals?
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Which type of baleen whales have the largest baleen plates?
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Right/Bowhead can grow up to ______ feet long.
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What type of whale is known as a bottom feeder?
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Right/Bowhead can grow up to ______ feet long.
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What is the largest toothed whale?
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What are sperm whales often called?
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The largest sperm whale weighed ______ tons.
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What do sperm whales eat?
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What are killer whales officially called?
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What do orcas feed on?
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Killer whales are often found in aquatic parks.
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Where are narwhals found?
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Narwhal tusks can reach ______ feet in length.
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Narwhal tusks are connected to their?
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Tusks are only found on female narwhals.
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What do dolphins and porpoises travel in?
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Spinner dolphins are named for what?
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Study Notes
Cetaceans Overview
- Whales, dolphins, and porpoises are classified under cetaceans.
- Cetaceans represent the largest group of marine mammals, comprising approximately 90 species.
Physical Characteristics
- All cetaceans have streamlined bodies, enhancing their swimming efficiency.
- Nostrils, referred to as blowholes, are uniquely located on top of their heads.
Classification of Cetaceans
- Cetaceans are divided into two main groups: toothless (baleen whales) and toothed whales.
- Toothless whales primarily feed using filter methods, while toothed whales are carnivorous.
Baleen Whales
- Baleen whales are toothless, characterized by their baleen plates made of keratin.
- They include around 13 species, many of which are on the verge of extinction.
- The blowhole of toothless whales has two openings.
- The blue whale is the largest baleen whale, reaching lengths of 80-110 feet and weighing between 90-140 tons, with a recorded weight of 200 tons.
- Blue whales feed by gulping fish and krill, with rorquals (including Blue, Minke, Fin, and Humpback whales) possessing large baleen plates with fine bristles.
- The Right and Bowhead whales can grow up to 50-65 feet long; Bowhead whales can reach lengths of 35-50 feet and are known as bottom feeders.
Toothed Whales
- Toothed whales include approximately 80 species and are known for feeding on fish, squid, and other prey.
- Their blowholes have a single opening, and they typically swallow their food whole.
- The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale, known as the great whale, weighing up to 42 tons and preying on squid, sharks, and lobsters.
Orcas and Other Species
- Orcas, or killer whales, are apex predators feeding on seals, sea lions, penguins, fish, sea otters, and even other whales.
- Frequently seen in aquatic parks, orcas display complex social structures within their groups called pods.
Narwhals
- Narwhals inhabit the Arctic and possess distinctive tusks that can reach lengths of 9 feet, connected to their nervous system.
- Tusks are predominantly found on male narwhals.
Social Behavior
- Dolphins and porpoises are social creatures, frequently traveling in groups called pods.
- Spinner dolphins are known for their acrobatic behavior, characterized by their jumping and twisting in the air.
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Test your knowledge on marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and porpoises with these flashcards. Review classifications, anatomy, and key facts about these fascinating cetaceans. Perfect for marine biology enthusiasts and students!
