What are mysticetes?

Mysticetes are a suborder of cetaceans, commonly known as baleen whales. They are distinguished from the other suborder of cetaceans, the odontocetes (toothed whales), by the presence of baleen plates instead of teeth.

Here are some key characteristics of mysticetes:

* Baleen plates: These are keratin plates that hang from the upper jaw, acting like a filter to strain small prey from the water.

* Lack of teeth: Mysticetes do not have teeth, instead relying on baleen for feeding.

* Large size: Many mysticetes are the largest animals on Earth, including the blue whale, the fin whale, and the humpback whale.

* Filter feeding: They feed by swimming through the water with their mouths open, using their baleen plates to trap krill, plankton, and other small organisms.

* Vocalizations: Mysticetes are known for their complex and often loud vocalizations, which are used for communication, navigation, and finding food.

* Migration patterns: Many mysticetes migrate long distances between breeding and feeding grounds.

Examples of mysticete whales:

* Blue whale

* Fin whale

* Humpback whale

* Minke whale

* Gray whale

* Right whale

* Sei whale

* North Atlantic right whale

Note: There are 14 families and 40 species of mysticetes.