1. Baleen Whales:
* Filter feeders: These whales have baleen plates instead of teeth.
* Feed on krill, plankton, small fish, and other invertebrates: They take in large mouthfuls of water and use their baleen plates to filter out the food.
* Examples: Humpback whales, blue whales, gray whales, and right whales.
2. Toothed Whales:
* Carnivores: These whales have teeth.
* Feed on fish, squid, and other marine mammals: Their mode of hunting varies depending on the species.
* Examples: Dolphins, orcas, sperm whales, and porpoises.
Here's a breakdown of feeding methods in toothed whales:
* Active predators: Some toothed whales, like dolphins and orcas, actively hunt their prey, using their teeth to capture and kill.
* Deep-diving feeders: Sperm whales dive deep into the ocean to hunt giant squid.
* Echolocation: Many toothed whales use echolocation, emitting sounds that bounce off prey and providing information about their location, size, and shape.
So, while all whales are carnivores, their modes of nutrition differ based on their physical adaptations and feeding strategies.