Cetacea

Cetaceans

Cetaceans are members of the scientific order Cetacea, which encompasses all dolphins, porpoises, and whales.

Classification

All cetaceans are mammals and fall into two distinct sub-orders; Odontoceti (toothed) and Mysticeti (toothless). From here they are further divided into families:

• Odontoceti
  • • Delphinidae
    • Monodontidae
    • Phocoenidae
    • Physeteridae
    • Kogiidae
    • Ziphidae
  • Superfamily Platanistoidea
    • Iniidae
    • Lipotidae
    • Platanistidae
    • Pontoporiidae

• Mysticeti
  • Balaenidae
  • Balaenopteridae
  • Eschrichtiidae
  • Neobalaenidae