Cetaceans: Who are they?

Many people do not understand the correct relationship of whales to dolphins.  Some people think they are unrelated, but they are wrong.  Dolphins and whales are part of the same family, which is called cetaceans.  According to the NOAA's Office of Protected Resources (2014), "Cetaceans are relatively large, generally characterized by streamlined bodies that glide easily through the marine environment" (para. 1).  Cetaceans include "approximately 78 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises" (para. 1).  Dolphins and whales both have the defined characteristics, and many species of each are part of this family.  For example, bottlenose dolphins and killer whales are both cetaceans and are, therefore, related.

According to the Marine Mammal Center (2014), "Cetaceans are separated into two groups: toothed and baleen whales" (para. 3).  Toothed whales are just as they sound: whales and dolphins that have teeth.  This includes dolphins, whales, and fresh-water river dolphins.  River dolphins are very unique.  They have been found to be a variety of colors, and Dolphins-World (2014) says, "Due to the many different colors, they are often mistaken for other forms of aquatic life" (para. 2).  Many people do not know much, if anything at all, about river dolphins.  Their unique color variety gets them confused with other marine animals.

Picture courtesy of Exploring Nature Educational Resource (2005)

 

References

 

Dolphins-World. (2014). River Dolphins - Dolphin Facts and Information. Retrieved from http://www.dolphins-world.com/river-dolphins/

Exploring Nature Educational Resource. (2005). Whales and Porpoises Poster [Picture]. Retrieved from http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=94&detID=1839

The Marine Mammal Center. (2014). Cetaceans. Retrieved from http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/education/marine-mammal-information/cetaceans/

NOAA Fisheries., & Office of Protected Resources. (2014, October 8). Cetaceans: Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises. Retrieved from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/