CetaceansCetaceansKingdom: AnimaliaKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: ChordataPhylum: ChordataClass: MammaliaClass: Mammalia
Order: CetaceaOrder: CetaceaSuborder: MysticetiSuborder: MysticetiSuborder: OdontocetiSuborder: Odontoceti
Family: DelphinidaeFamily: DelphinidaeFamily: PhocoenidaeFamily: Phocoenidae
MammalsMammals
Evolved from reptiles 200 million years agoEvolved from reptiles 200 million years ago 4,500 species4,500 species Endothermic – warm-bloodedEndothermic – warm-blooded Brain size far larger in proportions than other Brain size far larger in proportions than other
organismsorganisms Have hair, mammary glandsHave hair, mammary glands
Evolution of WhalesEvolution of Whales Pakicetids are Pakicetids are
reasoned to be the reasoned to be the earliest ancestorsearliest ancestors
Lived on landLived on land Closest living animals Closest living animals
to whales are cows, to whales are cows, hippos, and giraffeshippos, and giraffes
Evolved into Evolved into archaeocetesarchaeocetes
More eel like form More eel like form that developed into that developed into modern whalesmodern whales
Ancient Whale AncestorsAncient Whale Ancestors
CetaceansCetaceans
Whales, dolphins, Whales, dolphins, and porpoisesand porpoises
All are completely All are completely adapted for life in adapted for life in waterwater
Bodies designed Bodies designed for streamline for streamline swimmingswimming
Breathe airBreathe air
General Exterior Body General Exterior Body StructureStructure
Pair of front flippers w/ similar bone structure Pair of front flippers w/ similar bone structure to our handsto our hands
Caudal fin end in a pair of fin-like horizontal Caudal fin end in a pair of fin-like horizontal flukesflukes
Blowhole – nostrils found on top of the bodyBlowhole – nostrils found on top of the body Some species missing dorsal finSome species missing dorsal fin
Flipper vs. Hand Flipper vs. Hand StructureStructure
General Interior Body General Interior Body StructureStructure
Small, useless pelvic bones are the rear Small, useless pelvic bones are the rear pair of limbs that never developedpair of limbs that never developed
Blubber – fatty layer that provides Blubber – fatty layer that provides insulation and buoyancyinsulation and buoyancy
MelonMelon
Special organ Special organ located between located between the blowhole and the blowhole and rostrum of toothed rostrum of toothed whaleswhales
Oil filled sac that Oil filled sac that serves as an serves as an acoustical lensacoustical lens
Spermaceti OrganSpermaceti Organ
Massive melon Massive melon found in sperm found in sperm whaleswhales
Filled with waxy Filled with waxy oil called oil called spermacetispermaceti
Used for lanterns Used for lanterns and candlesand candles
SwimmingSwimming
Cetaceans swim by Cetaceans swim by beating their beating their flukes up and down flukes up and down while maneuvering while maneuvering with their fins.with their fins.
BreathingBreathing
Can exhale and inhale at incredible rateCan exhale and inhale at incredible rate Blowhole allows for breaths while swimmingBlowhole allows for breaths while swimming Spout or blow – combination of warm breath, Spout or blow – combination of warm breath,
mucus, and seawater that differs whale to whalemucus, and seawater that differs whale to whale
Diving AdaptationsDiving Adaptations
Cetaceans hold Cetaceans hold breath for 15-30 breath for 15-30 seconds, then seconds, then quickly take a quickly take a breath to maximize breath to maximize oxygen consumptionoxygen consumption
Blood has higher Blood has higher concentration of red concentration of red blood cells which blood cells which can hold more can hold more hemoglobinhemoglobin
Reduce heart rate Reduce heart rate when divingwhen diving
Divert blood to Divert blood to vital organsvital organs
Collapsible lungs Collapsible lungs prevent the prevent the nitrogen from nitrogen from dissolving in blood dissolving in blood and thus getting and thus getting the bendsthe bends
EcholocationEcholocation
Nature’s version of sonarNature’s version of sonar Animals release sound waves which create Animals release sound waves which create
echoes which are analyzed by brainechoes which are analyzed by brain Created by the passage of air inside cetaceansCreated by the passage of air inside cetaceans Melon focuses the sound wavesMelon focuses the sound waves
VocalizationsVocalizations Play an important Play an important
role in role in communicationcommunication
Unique sounds for Unique sounds for each specieseach species
Used for all forms Used for all forms of communicationof communication
Humpback whale Humpback whale songs are used for songs are used for attracting matesattracting mates
Whale Songs
Baleen Whales - Baleen Whales - MysticetiMysticeti
““toothless” whalestoothless” whales Baleen – rows of Baleen – rows of
flexible, fibrous flexible, fibrous plates that hang from plates that hang from the upper jawthe upper jaw
Made of the same Made of the same material as hair and material as hair and nailsnails
Covered with bristlesCovered with bristles Filter water through Filter water through
and lick what has and lick what has been left behindbeen left behind
Baleen StructureBaleen Structure
RorqualsRorquals
Lower part of the Lower part of the throat expands throat expands when filtering foodwhen filtering food
Includes Includes humpback and humpback and blue whaleblue whale
Other Baleen Feeding Other Baleen Feeding MethodsMethods
Some whales skim Some whales skim the surfacethe surface
These ones have These ones have the largest plates the largest plates with the finest with the finest bristlesbristles
Others are bottom Others are bottom feeders who stir up feeders who stir up the bottom and the bottom and then filterthen filter
Toothed WhalesToothed Whales Teeth adapted for a Teeth adapted for a
diet of fish, squid, and diet of fish, squid, and other preyother prey
Use teeth to catch and Use teeth to catch and hold not to chew, hold not to chew, rather it is swallowed rather it is swallowed wholewhole
Ambergris – remnants Ambergris – remnants of indigestible food of indigestible food and debris that and debris that accumulates as sticky accumulates as sticky globs, used for globs, used for perfumeperfume
Dolphins & PorpoisesDolphins & Porpoises
Considered whalesConsidered whales Technically Technically
porpoises only porpoises only consist of a small consist of a small group of blunt-group of blunt-nosed whalesnosed whales
Dolphin & PorpoisesDolphin & Porpoises
Most of the small Most of the small whales called whales called dolphinsdolphins
Dolphins typically Dolphins typically have a distinctive have a distinctive snout called a beaksnout called a beak
Travel in large Travel in large groups called podsgroups called pods
Family DelphinidaeFamily Delphinidae
DolphinsDolphins BeakBeak Cone-shaped teethCone-shaped teeth Curved/hooked Curved/hooked
dorsal findorsal fin Included Killer Included Killer
WhaleWhale 32 species32 species
Family PhocoenidaeFamily Phocoenidae PorpoisesPorpoises Smaller than dolphinsSmaller than dolphins Small triangular Small triangular
dorsal finsdorsal fins No beakNo beak Small spade shaped Small spade shaped
teethteeth Travel in smaller Travel in smaller
groupsgroups 6 species6 species
Porpoise vs. DolphinPorpoise vs. Dolphin