1 photo - 1 species

Introduction

There are around 90 species.

With a few exceptions, the threat to whales comes directly from humans.

 Heavy metals, plant and insect toxins and plastic waste, all of which are non-biodegradable, enter the whales' bodies when they feed.

Whales are air breathers and have lungs.

Depending on the species, they can remain submerged for between

a few minutes and up to more than two hours, e.g. sperm whales.

All species have a streamlined body.

Highly intelligent, social animals that communicate

using a complex language.

Most species (perhaps all) use echolocation,

a sonar language of clicks and whistles to orientate themselves.

Depending on the species,

they can be between 1.5 and 33 metres long.

Feresa attenuata

Pygmy killer whale