Whale

Whales are a diverse group of large marine mammals in the cetacean order, including baleen whales and toothed whales.

Whales are a diverse group of large marine mammals in the cetacean order, including baleen whales and toothed whales. They live in oceans worldwide and range in size from relatively small species to the blue whale, the largest animal known to have lived. Whales play major roles in marine ecosystems.

Classification

Whales are cetaceans, a group of marine mammals that also includes dolphins and porpoises. They are commonly divided into baleen whales and toothed whales based on how they feed. Baleen whales include species such as the blue whale and humpback whale, while toothed whales include the sperm whale and orca.

Body and biology

Whales are adapted for life in water, with streamlined bodies, flippers, and tails that propel them through the ocean. Like other mammals, they breathe air through lungs, give birth to live young, and nurse their calves with milk. Lifespan varies by species, with some whales living around 80–90 years or longer.

Diet and feeding

Whale diets vary widely by species. Baleen whales filter small organisms such as krill from seawater using baleen plates, while toothed whales hunt prey including fish, squid, and other marine animals. The blue whale, the largest whale, feeds primarily on krill.

Migration and range

Many whale species migrate seasonally, often traveling long distances between cold feeding grounds and warmer breeding areas. Others may move within broad ocean ranges without a regular long-distance migration pattern. Whales inhabit oceans from polar to tropical waters worldwide.

Conservation

Many whale populations have been affected by whaling, ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, ocean noise, and habitat change. Conservation status varies by species. In Canadian waters, whales are relevant to conservation, fisheries management, and Indigenous marine knowledge.