Page 16 - Whales and Dolphins

Types of Cetaceans: 1. Baleen whales

Scientists have identified 90 species (without teeth):
of cetaceans, 20 of which are found in

Oman, They are divided into two types There are fifteen species of baleen whales,
of parvorders (i.e. level of taxonomic ranging in length from 2 to 30 meters. These

classification): whales do not have teeth, but their mouths

contain hundreds of thin plates used to filter

their food from water, and it is these plates

that are called “baleens”. The baleen

is made out of the same protein

2. Toothed whales Scientists that makes up human
(Odontocetes): have identified fingernails and hair, and the
baleen hangs from the
upper jaw of the whale.

Odontocetes possess teeth 20 species The inner side of these
with dentine cells. Unlike plates contains brush-
human teeth, which are like fibers that filter food.
composed mostly of enamel Baleen whales have a
on the portion of the tooth glandular stomach as a
outside of the gum, whale continuation of the

teeth have cementum esophagus, which helps

outside the gum. However, the of Cetaceans in them better digest their
enamel is only visible in larger Oman food. Baleen whales
whales, where the cementum is usually feed on small prey
worn away on the tip of the tooth. such as sardines and krill.

This parvorder, includes whales that Their foraging areas are in

have teeth including sperm whales, shallow areas near the coast, in

beaked whales along with dolphins and depths of no more than 200 meters. They

porpoises. There are 65 different species of toothed are sometimes known to migrate over

whale that vary magnificently in terms of size, hundreds to thousands of kilometers, and

shape, number of teeth, living places, and the live either alone or in pods of up to three. For

marine species that they feed on. The sperm whale, hunting and breeding, these pods can grow

for instance can dive for 45minutes down to far larger.

1,200metres to feed on squid.

Instead of teeth, baleen whales have fine, comb-like plates made of keratin along with two blowholes, whilst
toothed whales have only one.

13