Main Differences between Dolphin and Whale
- Dolphin is smaller while the whale is comparatively larger in body size.
- Dolphin has conical shaped teeth while most whales have baleen in their mouth.
- Dolphins feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans while whales feed on planktons and krill.
- Dolphin lives in shallow waters near the coast while whales live in deeper waters.
Full Answer
Are whales the same as dolphins?
No, whales are not considered dolphins, however they are very closely related to the dolphin and porpoise species. In fact whales belong to the cetacean family which includes both dolphins and porpoises. All three species are marine mammals and share many of the same traits which are present in almost all mammals.
Do dolphin swim faster than killer whales?
Killer whales are among the fastest swimming marine mammals. Killer whales can swim at speeds of up to 45 kph (28 mph), but probably only for a few seconds at a time. Killer whales usually cruise at much slower speeds, less than 13 kph (8 mph). They can cruise slowly for long periods of time. Correspondingly, are dolphins faster than killer whales? The top speed recorded for a killer whale was 30 knots or 34.5 mph the fastest bottlenose dolphin was recorded at 18 knots or 21 mph. Killer ...
What is whale really a dolphin?
dolphin, any of the toothed whales belonging to the mammal family Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins) as well as the families Platanistidae and Iniidae, the two that contain the river dolphins.Of the nearly 40 species of dolphins in the Delphinidae, 6 are commonly called whales, including the killer whale and the pilot whales.The name dolphin is also applied to members of the fish genus Coryphaena ...
Do whale and dolphin are the same?
Whales refer to both the baleen whales and toothed whales, and the two subgroups differ only in dentition. Dolphins are made up of marine dolphins and river dolphins which, as their names suggest, are differentiated by their respective habitats. Whales and dolphins are classified under the group of marine mammals known as cetaceans.
What is the difference between whales and dolphins?
Whales and dolphins differ in size, social behavior, and brain size. The biggest differences between dolphins and whales are their body size, social behavior, and brain size. Whales are larger than dolphins; even the biggest dolphin, the orca, is small next to the largest whales.
How whales and dolphins are different from other fishes?
Even though they live in the ocean all of the time, dolphins are mammals, not fish. Like every mammal, dolphins are warm blooded. Unlike fish, who breathe through gills, dolphins breathe air using lungs. Dolphins must make frequent trips to the surface of the water to catch a breath.
What are the differences between whales porpoises and dolphins?
The term whale is used as a way to distinguish size among species, with cetaceans longer than about nine feet considered whales, and those less than nine feet long considered to be dolphins and porpoises.
What are dolphins similarities and differences?
Comparison chartDolphinWhaleSizeDolphin sizes vary from 1 - 6 mWhale sizes vary from 11 ft to 115 ft.Teeth StructureDolphin teeth are conical.Some whale have baleen.Social BehaviorDolphins are very socialWhales are social creatures and live in groups; but they are not as friendly to humans as dolphins are.3 more rows
Do whales and dolphins have gills or lungs?
Whales and dolphins are mammals and breathe air into their lungs, just like we do. They cannot breathe underwater like fish can as they do not have gills. They breathe through nostrils, called a blowhole, located right on top of their heads.
What are four differences between whales and fishes?
Whales are not fish. As we've described, whales are warm-blooded while almost all fish are cold-blooded. Fish also breath through gills while whales have lungs and breath air from above the ocean's surface. In addition whales give brith to live young while most fish lay eggs.
Are whales faster than dolphins?
In the same study which recorded the speeds of the Fin and Blue Whales, the Killer Whale was clocked at only 22.94 mph....Maximum Travel Speed of Selected Marine Life.Species (Scientific Name), Mode of Travel [if other than swimming]Speed (mph)Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)23.642 more rows
Are dolphins true whales?
Spoiler alert, dolphins are in fact whales, or part of the whale family. Stay with us, this gets a little confusing. Scientifically, all whales, dolphins and porpoises are classified as Cetacea. And within Cetacea are two suborders: baleen whales and toothed whales.
How do whales and dolphins breathe?
Whales and dolphins are mammals and breathe air into their lungs, just like we do. They cannot breathe underwater like fish can as they do not have gills. They breathe through nostrils, called a blowhole, located right on top of their heads.
How are whales and dolphins similar?
Because they belong to the Cetacean order,dolphins and whales share mammalian traits like warm blood, hair, and lung-based breathing. Other physical similarities include fins on their tails called flukes, streamlined bodies adapted for swimming and, in some cases, dorsal fins on their backs.
Do whales have teeth?
All baleen whales have baleen instead of teeth which they use to collect shrimp-like krill, plankton and small fish from the sea. These bristly baleen plates filter, sift, sieve or trap the whales' favourite prey from seawater inside their mouths.
Are whales and dolphins in the same family?
Marine mammals in the cetacean family include whales, dolphins, and porpoises. These animals are often referred to as “sentinels” of ocean health, providing insight into marine ecosystem dynamics. Learn more cool things about cetaceans below.
What is the difference between a whale and a dolphin?
Whales and dolphins are mammals that belong to the order cetacea, which also includes porpoises. The two animals are physiologically different, with whales often being larger than dolphins and more comfortable in a wider range of water temperatures.
What are the traits of dolphins and whales?
Dolphins and whales share common, mammalian traits , including warm blood, hair, and lung-based breathing. They also give birth to living offspring and nurse their young. Their bodies resemble the streamlined form of a fish. Both have fins, including the back or dorsal fins and their tail fins, known as flukes, which are highly efficient at propelling the animals through water. Many species of dolphin and whale can be identified by their dorsal fin shapes.
What are whales and dolphins known for?
Whales and dolphins have frequently been observed teaching, learning, cooperating, scheming, and even grieving. Some species communicate with melodic sounds, known as whale songs, while others make click-like sounds which can be very loud. Both types of underwater sounds have been recorded hundreds of miles from their source. Whale vocalizations seem to serve many purposes beyond echolocation, such as for mating and identification. Scientists studying whale and dolphin communication repertoires have estimated that
How many syllables are in a dolphin's speech?
...bottlenose dolphins have a repertoire of 27 single letter syllables, five 2-letter syllables and four or five 3-letter syllables. By contrast, humpback whales have a repertoire of only six single letter syllables but use seventeen or eighteen 2-letter syllables ...
How long do whales and dolphins have babies?
The gestation period of whales is between 9 and 17 months , with dolphins' gestation period ranging between 10 and 13 months. Nearly all whales have only one calf, and most dolphins do as well, but some dolphin species tend to birth two calves. Dolphins and whales nurse their calves for some time, usually more than a year, and this is associated with a strong bond between mother and young, providing a high probability of survival in the wild. Dolphins tend to wean their young sooner than whales do and will even chase off weaned calves.
Why do whales breathe differently?
Whales and dolphins breathe differently from other animals. Because of their environment, these cetaceans are conscious breathers, meaning they decide when to breathe. Unlike sharks, that need to keep moving in order to breathe, dolphins and whales can remain motionless in the water, especially to sleep.
What do whales eat?
Toothed whales are carnivorous, meaning they feed on fish, squids, marine mammals, and even other whales. Dolphin teeth are conical and tend to be quite sharp.
Dolphin vs Whale: Size
Whales are larger than dolphins in the vast majority of cases. The only dolphin that can match the size of whales is the killer whale, but that is actually a member of the dolphin family.
Dolphin vs Whale: Shape
Beluga whales have similar body shapes to dolphins, but dolphins’ bodies taper off more at their tails.
Dolphin vs Whale: Neck Vertebrae
Not all the cervical vertebrae in a dolphin’s neck are fused together, but all of a whale’s vertebrae are completely fused. That means dolphins have a greater amount of flexibility in their necks, allowing them to engage in some horizontal and vertical movements like nodding or moving their head from side to side.
Dolphin vs Whale: Brain Size
Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures owing to their large, complex brains.
How are dolphins and whales different?
However, the two creatures are different in that dolphins appear to be smaller in body size while whales are comparatively larger in body size.
What is the difference between a dolphin and a whale?
So, what is the main difference between dolphin and whale? Dolphin is smaller in body size while the whale is comparatively larger and more comfortable in a wide range of water temperatures.
What is a Whale?
Whales are the largest mammals and they mostly inhabit water sources. They are capable of living in a wide range of water temperatures.
What do narwhals eat?
Narwhal has a tusk that it uses as a tooth. Toothed whales eat fish and other sea creatures unlike those that have baleen which only feeds on planktons and krill.
How long does it take for a whale to give birth?
The gestation period for whales is between 9 to 17 months. Most whales give birth to one calf. They nurse the calf for a period of like one month before releasing them to be on their own.
How do dolphins use echolocation?
Dolphins use echolocation by making sounds from their nasal passages. Through these sounds, they are able to communicate to their fellow dolphins in case there is danger.
How many blowholes do dolphins have?
They move to the surface of the water in order for them to breathe in air through their blowhole. Dolphins only have one blowhole.
What are the differences between whales and dolphins?
First thing’s first: all dolphins are whales, but not all whales are dolphins. That’s because the Cetacean order of sea animals encompasses dolphins, porpoises and what we think of as whales.
What are dolphins and whales similar to?
Because they belong to the Cetacean order,dolphins and whales share mammalian traits like warm blood, hair, and lung-based breathing. Other physical similarities include fins on their tails called flukes, streamlined bodies adapted for swimming and, in some cases, dorsal fins on their backs. Let's Talk Teeth.
How many blowholes does a baleen whale have?
The plankton-eating baleen whale has two blowholes, whereas whales with teeth have just one. Whales and Wails. Toothed whales have the ability to echolocate. This means they emit various clicking sounds through the water and wait for the rebounding sound waves to indicate where their prey is.
How do dolphins communicate with each other?
Whales and dolphins share social patterns of communication such as teaching each other various hunting techniques, learning, cooperating with one another and even exhibiting ‘grief’ over lost members of their pod. Dolphins’ advanced communication abilities forge strong bonds within their pods, and dolphins have even been witnessed assisting injured or sick whales. One of the most impressive characteristics is the dolphins’ ability to call to each other using signature whistles. Dolphins use these unique whistles to communicate identity, location, and to address other individuals. We often use nicknames; perhaps dolphins use click-names.
How loud is a dolphin's click?
Dolphins’ clicks, whistles and pulsed sounds can reach up to 220 decibels. For reference, 150 decibels is loud enough to burst a human’s eardrum. However, the sperm whale’s echolocation clicks have been measured upwards around 230 decibels. Sea of Smarts.
What is the order of sea animals?
That’s because the Cetacean order of sea animals encompasses dolphins, porpoises and what we think of as whales. And Cetacean is derived from the Greek word for whale, ketos. It may sound confusing, but all dolphins are simply smaller types of whales.
What are the two types of whales?
There are two types of whales out there, baleen, or Mysticeti, and toothed, also known as Odontoceti. In mysticeti whales, stiff plates of baleen grow down from the gums of the upper jaw.
What is the difference between a whale and a dolphin?
The difference between Dolphins and Whales is that every dolphin is a whale, but every whale is not a dolphin. It can also be put as dolphins are more like smaller whales. There are several similarities and differences between the two species. Some differences include their method of communication and social groups.
What are Dolphins?
Sometimes Dolphins can leap approximately 30 feet. Sexual dimorphism is seen in several species of dolphins. In these, the females are smaller than males. They are accommodated with streamlined bodies and two limbs which are also their flippers. They are not flexible like seals. There are some species that can travel at 29 kilometres per hour. The conical-shaped teeth are used for capturing fast-moving prey.
What is a baleen whale?
Baleen whales are whales that have no teeth. However, they are equipped with plates of baleen which are fringe-like structures. These structures help them in expelling the huge mouthfuls of water intake. Their heads have approximately 40 % of their total body mass. Baleen whales have an incredible sense of smell and can communicate by singing.
What is the largest marine animal?
Whales, dolphins, and porpoises fall under the same order as Cetartiodactyla. A whale is a completely aquatic animal. The largest known creature that has ever lived is the blue whale. The second-largest predator is the sperm whale . Several females are larger than males. Whales are not very social creatures. They prefer solidarity.
Where do whales come from?
They do come near the equator for giving birth . Some species are one the largest on the earth. They are not quite social and prefer to be alone.
Is every dolphin a whale?
Every dolphin is a whale. However, every whale is not a dolphin. Dolphins are more or less like smaller whales.
Do dolphins have blowholes?
Dolphins and toothed whales have a single blowhole. Two blowholes can be found in Baleen whales.
What order do whales belong to?
Whales and dolphins belong to the order known as Cetacea. Cetaceans consists of three groups of marine mammals which include whales, dolphins and porpoises.
How do whales communicate?
Toothed whales on the other hand communicate using a series of high frequency clicks and whistles and are able to determine which whale is talking by observing differences in frequency among the various whales, even in large pod sizes.
What is a baleen whale?
Baleen whales are whales that are born with baleen plates instead of teeth. These majestic animals are generally larger than their toothed whale counterparts, but are usually less aggressive when it comes to hunting for food.
How do whales get water out of their mouth?
They then expel the water from their mouth by pushing it out with their tongue while leaving their food trapped in their baleen bristles which are often said to resemble the teeth found on a comb. Toothed whales on the other hand are born with teeth which they can use to bite, grab and tear apart their prey.
What animal will encircle a group of fish and herd them into a ball?
Killer whales for instance hunt in well structured pods and will encircle a group of fish and herd them into a ball then stun the fish by slapping the water with their flukes and take turns darting in and eating the petrified fish.
Do whales eat their prey?
Not all species of toothed whale are known for using their teeth to eat their prey. Some species use their teeth primarily for self-defense or to show aggression but don’t actually use their teeth for eating. These whales, dolphins and porpoises use a variety of hunting methods which vary depending on the species.
Do whales hunt alone?
These whales, dolphins and porpoises use a variety of hunting methods which vary depending on the species. Some marine mammals hunt alone while others travel together in large pods using complex group oriented techniques to detain their prey. Killer whales for instance hunt in well structured pods and will encircle a group ...
What is the difference between a baleen whale and a toothed whale?
Dolphins and porpoises all have teeth and rather confusingly are known as ‘toothed whales’ too! Another obvious difference between baleen and toothed whales is the number of blowholes on top of their head; baleen whales have two whereas toothed whales have one. There are only 15 baleen whale species and they are generally larger than ...
How many toothed whales are there?
There are 76 toothed whale species altogether and they are grouped into ten families: the sperm whale; the dwarf and pygmy sperm whale; the beluga and narwhal; the beaked whales; the oceanic dolphins; the four river dolphins (each one is placed in a family of their own); and the porpoise family.
What are some interesting facts about baleen whales?
Baleen whales - quick facts 1 Consist of four families: rorqual; right; gray; and pygmy right whale. 2 Usually found alone or in in small groups 3 Do not echolocate
How many families of baleen whales are there?
Baleen whales are grouped into four families: rorqual; right; gray; and pygmy right whale. However, the exact number of species (currently 14) and their relationships to one another are still matters of hot debate as scientists are finding what they believe to be new species within species.
What are the sounds of a baleen whale?
Different baleen whales use a variety of sounds including singing, moans and short pulses. Baleen whale group sizes are generally small; they often appear to be alone but are found to be in acoustic contact with others. Large groups of baleen whales are generally uncommon.
Why are gray whales mottled?
They have a bumpy dorsal ridge and no dorsal fin. Gray whales undertake the longest migrations by a mammal species.
How big is a pygmy right whale?
The pygmy right whale family like the gray whale, has a single member! As the name suggests, this is a relatively small whale by baleen whale standards (up to 6.5m long and 3,400kg) and is the most mysterious one too. There is very little known about the pygmy right whale as they are rarely seen at sea.
Do dolphins breathe air?
But, dolphins are mammals and so they need regularly visit the surface to breathe air to survive, otherwise they would drown. Fish on the other hand extract oxygen from the water and do not need to surface.
Do dolphins have blubber?
Dolphins are warm-blooded and have blubber to keep them warm. Fish are cold-blooded and are able to adjust to the different temperatures of the water without the need of body fat to keep them warm.
Evolution
Biology
- Dolphins and whales share common, mammalian traits, including warm blood, hair, and lung-based breathing. They also give birth to living offspring and nurse their young. Their bodies resemble the streamlined form of a fish. Both have fins, including the back or dorsal fins and their tail fins, known as flukes, which are highly efficient at propelling the animals through water. Man…
Behavior
- Cetaceans like dolphins and whales sleep in a pattern called cat-napping. Only one half of their brain shuts down while sleeping. The other half is awake and attentive; its job is to watch for predators or obstacles, and also rise to the surface to breath when necessary. After about two hours, the sides are reversed and the rested half awakens allowing the active side to rest. Dolphi…
Appearance
- Whales tend to be between 11 and 110 feet long; dolphins are between 4 and 35 feet long. Some classification systems consider anything over 9 feet as a whale, which can lead to confusion. This is why there are six species of \"whale\" that are actually dolphins, genetically.
Other animals
- While all dolphins have one blowhole, baleen whales those that feed on plankton and small fish or crustaceans have two blowholes. All toothed whales have only one blowhole.
Diet
- Whales are divided into two categories, based on their teeth. One group is known as baleen whales; this is the largest suborder of whales and includes the blue whale. Baleen whales' teeth are of a fringed structure and grow from the upper jaw. These whales use the fringed structure of their teeth to filter large amounts of water and trap plankton and small creatures. The other cate…
Reproduction
- Dolphins and whales are matriarchal in their social organization, allowing males to commingle with females only during the mating season. But not all males can participate, so only the strongest, most dominant males share most of the reproductive opportunities. The mating season for dolphins and whales varies depending on the species, but most mating occurs in war…
Ecology
- Frigid, arctic waters support some of the largest whale species, such as the humpback and the blue whale. Baleen whales feed only in arctic waters, eating mostly krill, plankton, and other small marine animals. The humpback whales often hunt by forming a ring of bubbles around their prey which then obstructs escape. See also this video: Humpback Whale: Hunting Technique
Language
- Researchers have also speculated that dolphins use these \"sono-pictorial\" representations to communicate with each other. So it could be a kind of language used by marine mammals.
Function
- Whales and dolphins have frequently been observed teaching, learning, cooperating, scheming, and even grieving. Some species communicate with melodic sounds, known as whale songs, while others make click-like sounds which can be very loud. Both types of underwater sounds have been recorded hundreds of miles from their source. Whale vocalizations seem to serve ma…
Habitat
- Whales have a global range, to the point that species of whale can be found in every ocean. However, the specific range for each species can be limited to one ocean or ecological region. In contrast, baleen whales engage in long migrations, from arctic latitudes to warmer tropical waters for breeding. Dolphins exist primarily in temperate zones north and south of the equator, and onl…
Music video
- This video below shows a group of five orcas hunting a dolphin that is exhausted and separated from its pod. It was filmed off the coast of South Africa. Despite their name, orcas (killer whales) actually belong to the dolphin family.
What Is A Dolphin?
What Is A Whale?
- Whales are the largest mammals and they mostly inhabit water sources. They are capable of living in a wide range of water temperatures. Most whales have baleen in their mouths and this makes them feed on small animals. They mostly feed on planktons and krill. However, some whale species have teeth but they are shaped differently. Beaked whales have fang-shaped teet…
Main Differences Between Dolphin and Whale
- Dolphin is smaller while the whale is comparatively larger in body size.
- Dolphin has conical shaped teeth while most whales have baleen in their mouth.
- Dolphins feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans while whales feed on planktons and krill.
- Dolphin lives in shallow waters near the coast while whales live in deeper waters.
Similarities Between Dolphin and Whale
- They are both mammals.
- Both give birth to live offspring.
- Both have fins.
- Both have streamlined bodies.
Conclusion
- Dolphins and whales have a lot in common. They are both mammals and this makes them have many features in common such as being warm-blooded animals, giving birth to live offspring, and breathing through the lungs. However, the two creatures are different in that dolphins appear to be smaller in body size while whales are comparatively larger in body size. More Sources and Refer…