Odontocetes are toothed whales classified under Cetaceans that include mammals such as the sperm whale, beaked whales, porpoise, and dolphins. Male and female Odontocetes show distinct sexual dimorphism. Odontocetes are acknowledged to have well-developed hearing senses with some species being very intelligent. They also have conical teeth and a layer of fat beneath their skin for keeping them warm while in cold waters. Additionally, most species of the Odontocetes are sociable with smaller Odontocetes like the dolphins kept in captivity for scientific research and entertaining people by doing tricks. Others are followed or observed in the ocean in an activity called whale watching.
Toothed whales (Odontoceti) have streamlined bodies built for efficient swimming. Their strong tails, or flukes, move up and down, propelling them forward. Unlike their baleen counterparts, they have teeth used for catching prey. A blowhole on top of their head allows them to breathe while mostly submerged.
These creatures use echolocation for navigation and hunting: they emit sound waves that bounce back, helping them "see" underwater. Their sophisticated brains and complex vocal cords allow for a range of sounds, aiding in communication. With sharp eyesight in water, and a less developed sense of taste and smell, they're well-adapted marine predators.
Toothed whales (Odontoceti) have a multifaceted relationship with humans that spans centuries. Historically, they've been hunted for their oil, meat, and teeth, leading to population declines in some species. In modern times, many societies revere these cetaceans, with dolphin-watching and whale-watching becoming popular ecotourism activities.
However, they still face threats from human activities, including ship strikes, pollution, and bycatch in fishing nets. Conservation efforts have been amplified, leading to protections like the Marine Mammal Protection Act and global moratoriums on whaling. While many species show signs of recovery, others, especially smaller cetaceans, remain critically endangered due to persistent human-induced threats.
A dolphin’s diet typically consists of a variety of fish, squid, shrimp, jellyfish, and octopuses. Their diet also depends on the species of the dolphin (there are more than 40 species of dolphin), where the dolphin lives, and the other wildlife that lives around them.
The life expectancy of a dolphin is affected by their habitat, geography, diet, level of endangerment, health, social structure, and species. Dolphins are able to live for an average of 20 years, and female dolphins tend live longer than males. Dolphins that live in captivity tend to have shorter lifespans than those in the wild.
Dolphins are able to live in all of the world’s oceans and in some rivers. Not all species of dolphins are able to live in every environment, except for the bottlenose dolphin who is able to live in almost every ocean except for the Arctic and Antarctic ocean. Most dolphins prefer tropical and temperate waters since they are warm-blooded mammals.
