Cetaceans (porpoise, dolphins & whales)

Cetaceans

Porpoise, dolphins & whales.

Cetaceans:

Globally up to 90 species of cetaceans (porpoise, dolphins and whales) have been described.

That includes 15 species of baleen whales and up to 75 species of toothed whales, including lesser known species such as the beaked whales.

Cetaceans are classified based on their dentation, or lack thereof. Mysticeti, or baleen whales lack teeth, and instead have baleen plates (bristle-like structures) that hang from their upper jaw. They use these to filter feed small schooling fish species. Toothed whales or Odontoceti have teeth which vary in number and size depending on the species.

Why are Cetacean Important to Protect?

Whales are farmers of the ocean, fertilising the waters through their poo!

Whale poo helps to promote the growth of microscopic plants called phytoplankton that use CO2 and sunlight to create over 70% of the Earth's oxygen!

"Cetaceans" are the scientific term for aquatic marine mammals that spend their entire lives in water but have lungs and must surface to breathe, are warm-blooded, and like us give birth to and nurse live young.

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CETACEAN ID PORTAL

Cetaceans are highly mobile and intelligent marine mammals that can range over vast distances. This " Cetacean Identification Portal " will guide you to through the the great diversity of Cetacea found in Irish waters and help you to learn to identify different species and find out more about their ecology, biology and physiology.