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There are currently around 90 recognised species of whales, dolphins and porpoises; they are collectively known as ‘cetaceans’ or simply ‘whales’. There are 15 baleen whales, 3 sperm whales, 23 beaked whales, 2 monodontidae (narwhal and beluga), 42 dolphins (including 4 river dolphins) and 7 porpoises.
Cetaceans are broadly divided into two groups, depending on whether they have teeth (odontocetes) or baleen (mysticetes). |