Cetacea

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Mysticeti

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Odontoceti

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The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises.

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Cetus is Latin and is used in biological names to mean "whale"; its original meaning, "large sea animal," was more general. It comes from Greek ketos ("sea monster"). Cetology is the branch of marine science associated with the study of cetaceans.

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Cetaceans are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life. Their body is fusiform (spindle-shaped). The forelimbs are modified into flippers. The tiny hindlimbs are vestigial, they do not attach to the backbone and are hidden within the body. The tail has horizontal flukes.

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Cetaceans are nearly hairless, and are insulated by a thick layer of blubber.

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The order Cetacea contains eighty-one known species, divided into two suborders, Mysticeti (baleen whales) and Odontoceti (toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises).

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Whales: REDIRECT Whale...

Dolphins: REDIRECT Dolphin...

Porpoises: REDIRECT Porpoise...