Whales or cetaceans are among the most fascinating animals on the planet.
They are mammals, living like fishes in oceans all over the world.
The whales demonstrate a wide range of adaptations that make them perfectly suited to the life their ancestors chose 50 million years ago.
One of the most interesting ways their adaptability is demonstrated is in how they feed.
Some whales are filter feeders and are collectively referred to as mysticetes or baleen whales.
These whales have giant sieves (baleen), which they use to collect tiny fish and crustaceans from the water as they swim.
The other family of whales are the toothed whales (Odontoceti).
Unlike their filter-feeding relatives, toothed whales have teeth in their jaws and are typically efficient hunters.
This large family of marine mammals includes sperm whales, belugas, narwhals, porpoises, and dolphins.
In this post, we’ll list 15 toothed whale species and explain some of the most interesting details about them.
15. Long-finned Pilot Whale
Common name | Long-finned Pilot Whale |
Scientific Name | Globicephala melas |
Preferred Prey | Squids |
Weight | 2,500 kilograms (5,500 pounds) |
Length | 6–7.6 meters (20–25 feet) |
Location | North Atlantic |
The long-finned pilot whale is a large dolphin species in the North Atlantic Ocean and the southern seas.
It is distinguishable from its close relative (the short-finned pilot whale) by its long pectoral fins.
This large cetacean is the second-largest dolphin species after the killer whale (orca).
The pilot whale has a mix of black and dark gray coloration, with white markings on its belly region similar to that of orcas.
They’re quite social and have been observed interacting with other whale species.
Pilot whales are apex predators in their ecosystem. Typical prey include squid, octopus, and different species of fish.
14. Pygmy Sperm Whale
Name | Pygmy sperm whale | Weight | 400 kilograms (880 pounds) |
Scientific name | Kogia breviceps | Length | 3.5 meters (11 feet) |
Preferred Prey | Glass squid | Location | Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans |
Common name | Long-finned Pilot Whale |
Scientific Name | Globicephala melas |
Preferred Prey | Squids |
Weight | 2,500 kilograms (5,500 pounds) |
Length | 6–7.6 meters (20–25 feet) |
Location | North Atlantic |
The pygmy sperm whale is a little-known toothed whale species that lives in the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
With a maximum length of about 3.5 meters (11 feet), the pygmy sperm whale is roughly the same size as a dolphin.
Although significantly smaller, the pygmy sperm whale looks quite similar to the giant sperm whale.
It also has a spermaceti organ but has never been hunted on a large scale for sperm oil like the sperm whale.
The pygmy sperm whale is elusive.
It has never been observed in the open sea, so much of what we know about them is from beached individuals.
13. Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin
Common name | Atlantic white-sided dolphin |
Scientific Name | Lagenorhynchus acutus |
Preferred Prey | Herring, mackerel, and squid |
Weight | 180–230 kilograms (400–510 pounds) |
Length | 2.8 meters (9.2 feet) |
Location | North Atlantic Ocean |
As the name suggests, the Atlantic white-sided dolphin has a unique coloration characterized by a prominent white patch on both sides of its body (just behind the dorsal fin).
The patch may also be pale yellow in some individuals.
This large dolphin lives in the cool and temperate waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
It is one of the largest dolphin species, with an average weight of about 2.8 meters (9.2 feet).
The Atlantic white-sided dolphin is one of the most commonly spotted dolphin species due to its tendency to display acrobatic moves as it interacts with boats.
12. White-Beaked Dolphin
Common name | White-beaked dolphin |
Scientific Name | Lagenorhynchus albirostris |
Preferred Prey | Gadoid fishes (cod and haddocks) |
Weight | 180–354 kilograms (397–780 pounds) |
Length | 2.3–3.1 meters (7.7–10.2 feet) |
Location | North Atlantic Ocean |
The white-beaked dolphin is a medium to large-sized dolphin species that lives in the cold subarctic waters of the North Atlantic Ocean.
It has a short beak, which is usually a white color in most individuals but maybe a dark or ashy gray color in some.
The common name of this dolphin refers to this white beak.
The rest of this toothed whale’s body is a mix of dark and light gray patches.
Another distinct feature of this cetacean is the prominent saddle just behind its dorsal fin, which is sometimes visible when the fish is close to the water surface.
The white-beaked dolphin is a social animal commonly found in groups of about ten individuals, but they may even form larger groups occasionally with hundreds of other white-beaked dolphins.
These playful dolphins are fond of swimming alongside ships and boats, and they interact well with other whale species, too.
11. Harbor Porpoise
Common name | Harbor porpoise |
Scientific Name | Phocoena phocoena |
Preferred Prey | Schooling fish species (herring, cod, sardines, and so on) |
Weight | 61–76 kilograms (134–168 pounds) |
Length | 1.4–1.9 meters (4.7–6.3 feet) |
Location | North Atlantic, North Pacific and the Black Sea |
The harbor porpoise is one of the smallest-toothed whale species.
With an average length of about 1.4 to 1.9 meters (4.7 to 6.3 feet), this cetacean is also the smallest porpoise species.
As the name implies, the harbor porpoise is commonly found around harbors.
This makes it one of the most recognizable and commonly spotted cetacean species.
Harbor porpoises are mainly found in the waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Ocean.
However, individuals have been observed in rivers and freshwater bodies several kilometers away from the sea.
Harbor porpoises are bottom foragers but will hunt prey close to the water surface occasionally.
10. Baird’s Beaked Whale
Common name | Baird’s beaked whale |
Scientific Name | Berardius bairdii |
Preferred Prey | Mackerel, sardines, and saury |
Weight | 13.2 tons (26,455 pounds) |
Length | 11.9–12.8 meters (39–42 feet) |
Location | North Pacific Ocean |
Also known as the northern giant bottlenose, Baird’s beaked whale is the largest member of the Ziphiidae family of whales collectively known as the beaked whales.
It is mainly found in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean.
The northern giant bottlenose is a deepwater whale species known to dive to depths of about 1,000 to 3,000 meters.
Although it is classified as a toothed whale, this giant whale only has a few teeth in its mouth.
The elongated snout, which is referred to as the beak, is mainly toothless, but there are one or two sets of teeth in the whale’s lower mandible.
These are called “battle teeth” and are mainly used for intra-species conflict.
This whale species can grow to lengths of over 12 meters, making it the second-largest whale species after the sperm whale.
9. Arnoux’s Beaked Whale
Common name | Arnoux’s beaked whale |
Scientific Name | Berardius arnuxii |
Preferred Prey | Deepwater squid |
Weight | 9 tons (8,200 kilograms) |
Length | 9.75 meters (31 feet) |
Location | Antarctica |
The Arnoux’s beaked whale is a close relative of the Baird’s beaked whale.
In fact, both species look so similar experts initially thought they were separate populations of the same species.
It is sometimes called the southern beaked whale because it is mainly found in the Southern Ocean (Antarctic).
This whale’s appearance is characterized by a large bulbous melon and a long snout similar to that of its Northern relative.
It also has a few teeth at the back of its beak, used for intraspecific competition.
Little is known about the behavior of this whale species because they’re elusive and have never been observed alive.
8. Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Common name | Common bottlenose dolphin |
Scientific Name | Tursiops truncatus |
Preferred Prey | Eels and squids |
Weight | 150–650 kilograms (330–1,430 pounds) |
Length | 2–4 meters (6.6–13.1 feet) |
Location | Worldwide |
The common bottlenose dolphins live in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide but are absent in polar waters.
It is the most well-known dolphin species and the largest member of the beaked dolphin family.
The common name “bottlenose dolphin” is a reference to the dolphin’s long snout, which is one of its most recognizable features.
With brains larger than humans, the common bottlenose dolphin is considered one of the most intelligent marine creatures.
Bottlenose dolphins exhibit a wide range of advanced behaviors, including mimicry, self-recognition, and language.
Although this whale’s snout is lined with teeth, the bottlenose dolphin swallows its prey whole instead of chewing them.
7. Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Common name | Cuvier’s beaked whale |
Scientific Name | Ziphius cavirostris |
Preferred Prey | Squids |
Weight | 2–3.5 tons (4,000–7,000 pounds) |
Length | 5.8–6.9 meters (19–22.5 feet) |
Location | Worldwide |
The Cuvier’s beaked whale is found in oceans worldwide and is considered one of the most widely distributed beaked whale species.
The wide distribution of this whale makes it one of the most commonly spotted whale species in the world.
The Cuvier’s beaked whale lives in the open seas and has been known to dive to depths of up to 300 meters (1,000 ft).
In fact, the longest dive by a whale, which lasted about 222 minutes, has been attributed to this whale.
The Cuvier’s beaked whale is also commonly referred to as the goose-beaked whale due to its short beak, which resembles that of a goose.
Although they’re generally classified as toothed whales, only mature male individuals in this species have teeth.
Their dentition consists of two tusks that grow out of the right and left corners of their lower jaw.
6. Dwarf Sperm Whale
Common name | Dwarf Sperm Whale |
Scientific Name | Kogia sima |
Preferred Prey | Cock-eyed squid and glass squid |
Weight | 136 to 272 kilograms (300 to 600 pounds) |
Length | 2–2.7 meters (6.6–8.9 feet) |
Location | Worldwide |
The dwarf sperm whale is a close relative of the pygmy sperm whale, with both being species in the Kogia genus.
The dwarf sperm whale lives in temperate and tropical waters worldwide.
As the name suggests, the dwarf sperm whale is relatively small compared to the other sperm whale species.
It’s only about 2 to 2.7 meters long on average.
Given its size, the dwarf sperm whale is often attacked by large marine predators like sharks and orcas.
To escape, it releases a cloudy reddish-brown fluid into the water to distract potential predators.
The dwarf sperm whale preys on squids, octopuses, and fish, which it hunts through suction-feeding.
5. Sperm Whale
Common name | Sperm whale |
Scientific Name | Physeter macrocephalus |
Preferred Prey | Squids |
Weight | 45 tonnes |
Length | 16 meters (52 feet) |
Location | Worldwide |
Also known as the cachalot, the sperm whale is the largest toothed whale species.
This also makes it the largest-toothed predator on Earth.
Sperm whales prey on fish, octopuses, and sharks, but squids form the bulk of their diet.
This massive whale has an average length of about 52 feet (16 meters), and its head takes up about one-third of this length.
The common name is a reference to spermaceti (sperm oil), the white waxy oil that is produced by the whale, which was erroneously assumed to be its sperm.
Sperm whales are found in oceans all over the world.
It is a pelagic whale species, which means it lives in the open ocean.
This whale is renowned for its impressive diving abilities.
The sperm whale can swim to depths of up to 2,250 meters (7,382 feet), making it the third-deepest diving mammal.
4. Beluga Whale
Common name | Beluga whale |
Scientific Name | Delphinapterus leucas |
Preferred Prey | Arctic cod |
Weight | 1,100–1,600 kilograms (2,430–3,530 pounds) |
Length | 3.5–5.5 meters (11–18 feet) |
Location | Arctic Ocean |
The beluga whale is a toothed whale species that lives in the waters of the Arctic Ocean.
It is one of the most recognizable whale species thanks to its unique coloration.
The beluga whale is commonly called the white whale and is the only cetacean known to exhibit this type of coloration.
Like other whales, the beluga whale has an organ known as the melon at the front of its head.
Whales use this organ for echolocation, but for the beluga, the melon is more prominent and squishy.
The diet of beluga whales mainly consists of fish like the arctic cod, but they also prey on invertebrates like shrimp, squid, clams, and crabs.
3. Narwhal
Common name | Narwhal |
Scientific Name | Monodon monoceros |
Preferred Prey | Greenland halibut, cod and cuttlefish |
Weight | 800–1,600 kilograms (1,800–3,500 pounds) |
Length | 3.95–5.5 meters (13–18 feet) |
Location | Atlantic and Arctic Oceans |
The narwhal is often described as the unicorn of the sea due to the long forward-pointing tusk growing out of its jaws.
The narwhal’s long tusk is actually a protrusion of its canine tooth and can grow to lengths of about 1.5 to 3.1 meters (4.9 to 10.2 feet) in some individuals.
Both male and female narwhals can develop tusks, although it is more common in males than females.
Some males may also have two tusks instead of one.
Narwhals are medium-sized whales with an average body length of about 3.95 to 5.5 meters (13 to 18 feet) (excluding the tusk.
The narwhal’s diet mainly consists of fish such as the Greenland halibut, cod, & cuttlefish.
2. Orca (Killer Whale)
Common name | Killer whale |
Scientific Name | Orcinus orca |
Preferred Prey | Fish |
Weight | Over 6 tons (13,000 pounds) |
Length | 6–8 meters (20–26 ft) |
Location | Worldwide |
Although commonly referred to as the killer whale, the orca is actually a type of dolphin.
It is the largest dolphin species and one of the most ferocious aquatic predators.
Orcas are known for their distinct black-and-white patterned coloration.
The killer whale is an apex predator found in all oceans worldwide.
This toothed whale prey on fish, rays, sharks, and even other marine mammals such as seals and whales.
Orcas are intelligent whales and have been known to exhibit several complex hunting behaviors.
Orcas have been observed grabbing seals off ice sheets or intentionally beaching themselves to catch prey and wiggling back into the sea on their own.
They may also hunt cooperatively to kill larger prey, including blue whales.
1. Vaquita
Common name | Vaquita |
Scientific Name | Phocoena sinus |
Preferred Prey | Grunts and croakers |
Weight | 19–150 grams (0.6–5.2 ounces) |
Length | 150 centimeters (4.9 feet) |
Location | Sea of Cortez (upper Gulf of California) |
The vaquita is a toothed whale species on the brink of extinction.
It is considered the rarest marine mammal, with a small population limited to the upper Gulf of California.
The vaquita is the smallest cetacean species, with an average length of about 150 centimeters (4.9 feet).
It is a generalist predator that feeds on different kinds of fish, crustaceans, and squids.
The vaquita is commonly caught as bycatch in gillnets, the major threat to their population.
This whale also lives in shallow marine environments and is commonly affected by pollution, coastal development, and other human activities.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beluga_whale
- https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/unicorn-of-the-sea-narwhal-facts
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_sperm_whale
- https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/dwarf-sperm-whale
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuvier%27s_beaked_whale
- https://uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/arnouxs-beaked-whale/