I WONDER - How Are Whales Grouped?

Marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals are well-known ocean creatures. They share traits with land mammals, such as being warm-blooded, breathing air, and nursing their young. Whales, the largest animals on Earth, are divided into toothed and baleen categories. Toothed whales, like orcas and sperm whales, have teeth for hunting, while baleen whales, like humpbacks and blue whales, use baleen plates to filter food.

Which of the following is NOT a marine mammal?

• Dolphin

• Whale

• Shark

• Seal

What is a common trait between marine and land mammals?

• Laying eggs

• Breathing air through lungs

• Having scales

• Cold-blooded

How do baleen whales obtain their food?

• Hunting with teeth

• Using baleen plates to filter food

• Catching prey with claws

• Swallowing prey whole

Which of the following is a characteristic of toothed whales?

• They have baleen plates

• They live in freshwater

• They are herbivores

• They use teeth to hunt prey

What distinguishes baleen whales from toothed whales?

• Baleen whales filter food through comb-like structures

• Baleen whales have teeth

• Baleen whales are smaller

• Baleen whales live on land