Whale - Wikipedia
Whales are a widely distributed and diverse group of fully aquatic placental marine mammals. As an informal and colloquial grouping, they correspond to large members of the infraorder Cetacea, i.e. all cetaceans apart from dolphins and porpoises. Dolphins and porpoises may be considered whales from a formal, cladistic perspective.
Whale | Definition, Types, & Facts | Britannica
Jan 11, 2025 · whale, any of the larger species of aquatic mammals belonging to the order Cetacea. The term whale can be used in reference to any cetacean, including porpoises and dolphins, but in general it is applied to those more than 3 metres (10 feet) long.
Types Of Whales: Pictures & Facts On Every Living Whale Species
Jul 20, 2023 · Whales are marine mammals belonging to the group Cetacea, which also includes dolphins and porpoises. Whales are known for their large size, with many whale species weighing several tonnes.
Whale | Species | WWF - World Wildlife Fund
Whales roam throughout all of the world's oceans, communicating with complex and mysterious sounds. Their sheer size amazes us: the blue whale can reach lengths of more than 100 feet and weigh up to 200 tons—as much as 33 elephants. Despite living in the water, whales breathe air.
All 21 Different Types of Whales: Guide, Pictures And Classification
Nov 5, 2023 · In this article, we’re going to introduce you to 21 of the most wonderful types of whales. From the massive blue whale to the elusive Omura’s whale, here’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about these amazing seafaring animals. Get ready—it’s going to be a whale of a time! How Are Whales Classified?
20 Types of Whales: Facts and Photos - TRVST
Oct 11, 2023 · In this article, we uncover the intricacies and diversity of the different types of whales. From the colossal blue whale to the swift dolphins, this journey takes you beyond the surface to explore what sets these magnificent creatures apart. Related Read: Whale Facts.
19 Types of Whales - ThoughtCo
Jul 18, 2024 · There are nearly 90 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the order Cetacea, which is divided into two suborders, the Odontocetes, or toothed whales, and the Mysticetes, or toothless baleen whales.
Whale facts and information - National Geographic
Whales are the largest animals on Earth and they live in every ocean. The massive mammals range from the 600-pound dwarf sperm whale to the colossal blue whale, which can weigh more than 200 tons...
Whales and Dolphins - Smithsonian Ocean
When we think of whales, the enormous ones that filter tiny plankton from seawater with their baleen-fringed upper jaw often come first to mind (like the right whale in the picture above). But cetaceans also include dolphins, porpoises and other toothed whales, and in total contain more than 80 different species.
Whales - NOAA Fisheries
Whales are among the largest and oldest animals on Earth and belong to a group of marine mammals called cetaceans. Learn more about the whale species that NOAA Fisheries works to protect and conserve.