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species of whales
Whales (order Cetacea).
cetacean
mammal
Also known as: Cetacea
- Key People:
- Roy Chapman Andrews
- Related Topics:
- dolphin
- whale
- baleen whale
- toothed whale
- Archaeoceti
cetacean, (order Cetacea), any member of an entirely aquatic group of mammals commonly known as whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The ancient Greeks recognized that cetaceans breathe air, give birth to live young, produce milk, and have hair—all features of mammals. Because of their body form, however, cetaceans were commonly grouped with the fishes. Cetaceans are entirely carnivorous, although members of the order Sirenia (manatees, dugongs, and Steller’s sea cow) were once referred to as the “herbivorous Cetacea.” In the past cetaceans were important resources (see whaling), but by the end of the 20th century their economic importance was almost solely ...(100 of 8017 words)