Toothed Whales | Odontoceti

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.

What do dolphins eat?

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.

How long do dolphins live?

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.

Where do dolphins live?

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.

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14”-19” | 37-48 cm
22”-29” | 56-74 cm
6.5’-8.5’ | 1.98-2.59 m
331-408 lb | 150-185 kg
25-30 years
Amazon River Dolphin
48.000
74.000
259.000
185.000
30.00
32200
GUIDE
3D
Amazon River Dolphin
Baiji
19800
11”-20” | 27-52 cm
13”-24” | 32-61 cm
4.5’-8.5’ | 1.37-2.59 m
287-375 lb | 130-170 kg
24-30 years
Baiji
52.000
61.000
259.000
170.000
30.00
19800
GUIDE
3D
Baiji
2’8”-4’2” | 81-127 cm
35”-54” | 89-138 cm
13’-20’ | 4-6.1 m
2,000-3,000 lb | 910-1,360 kg
35-50 years
Beluga Whale
127.000
138.000
610.000
1360.000
50.00
224000
GUIDE
3D
Beluga Whale
2’1”-2’11” | 64-89 cm
33”-47” | 83-119 cm
10’-14’ | 3.1-4.3 m
300-1,400 lb | 136-625 kg
20-30 years
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
89.000
119.000
430.000
625.000
30.00
13000
GUIDE
3D
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
14”-20” | 36-50 cm
16”-22” | 40-55 cm
6.17’-8.5’ | 1.88-2.59 m
220-298 lb | 100-135 kg
25-40 years
Common Dolphin
50.000
55.000
259.000
135.000
40.00
7300
GUIDE
3D
Common Dolphin
18”-25” | 47-63 cm
14”-18.5” | 35-47 cm
5.92’-8’ | 1.8-2.44 m
265-353 lb | 120-160 kg
15-20 years
Dall's Porpoise
63.000
47.000
244.000
160.000
20.00
4450
GUIDE
3D
Dall's Porpoise
17”-23” | 43-59 cm
19”-26” | 49-66 cm
6.58’-8.83’ | 2-2.69 m
463-595 lb | 210-270 kg
15-22 years
Dwarf Sperm Whale
59.000
66.000
269.000
270.000
22.00
10500
GUIDE
3D
Dwarf Sperm Whale
29”-38” | 75-96 cm
46”-57” | 116-146 cm
16’-20’ | 4.88-6.1 m
2,645-4,850 lb | 1,200-2,200 kg
55-63 years
False Killer Whale
96.000
146.000
610.000
2200.000
63.00
38100
GUIDE
3D
False Killer Whale
14”-17” | 36-43 cm
21”-25” | 54-64 cm
6.25’-7.5’ | 1.91-2.29 m
66-159 lb | 30-72 kg
10-20 years
Finless Porpoise
43.000
64.000
229.000
72.000
20.00
4610
GUIDE
3D
Finless Porpoise
14”-16” | 35-41 cm
11”-13” | 29-34 cm
5’-6’ | 1.52-1.83 m
99-198 lb | 45-90 kg
8-20 years
Harbour Porpoise
41.000
34.000
183.000
90.000
20.00
6700
GUIDE
3D
Harbour Porpoise
16”-19” | 42-49 cm
19”-22” | 48-56 cm
7’-8.17’ | 2.13-2.49 m
154-243 lb | 70-110 kg
18-26 years
Indus River Dolphin
49.000
56.000
249.000
110.000
26.00
4500
GUIDE
3D
Indus River Dolphin
14”-21” | 36-54 cm
15”-23” | 39-59 cm
5.92’-9’ | 1.8-2.74 m
198-441 lb | 90-200 kg
15-30 years
Irrawaddy Dolphin
54.000
59.000
274.000
200.000
30.00
23400
GUIDE
3D
Irrawaddy Dolphin
12”-20” | 30-50 cm
15”-25” | 39-63 cm
5.5’-9’ | 1.68-2.74 m
397-606 lb | 180-275 kg
20-30 years
Melon-Headed Whale
50.000
63.000
274.000
275.000
30.00
2700
GUIDE
3D
Melon-Headed Whale
Narwhal
505800
23”-36” | 58-92 cm
25”-39” | 63-99 cm
11.5’-18’ | 3.5-5.49 m
1,764-3,527 lb | 800-1,600 kg
35-55 years
Narwhal
92.000
99.000
549.000
1600.000
55.00
505800
GUIDE
3D
Narwhal
5’3”-7’6” | 1.60-2.29 m
5.8’-8’ | 1.76-2.45 m
23’-32’ | 7.01-9.75 m
1.5-6 tons | 1.3-5.4 metric tons
30-50 years (wild); 60-70 years (captivity)
Orca | Killer Whale
229.000
245.000
975.000
5400.000
70.00
818000
GUIDE
3D
Orca | Killer Whale
13”-19” | 33-49 cm
16”-23” | 40-59 cm
5.5’-8.17’ | 1.68-2.49 m
298-441 lb | 135-200 kg
35-46 years
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
49.000
59.000
249.000
200.000
46.00
3200
GUIDE
3D
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
22”-25” | 56-65 cm
22”-24” | 56-62 cm
10’-11.5’ | 3.05-3.5 m
683-992 lb | 310-450 kg
17-23 years
Pygmy Sperm Whale
65.000
62.000
350.000
450.000
23.00
6250
GUIDE
3D
Pygmy Sperm Whale
6’9”-11’ | 2.06-3.35 m
10.5’-16’ | 3.21-4.88 m
39’-62’ | 12-19 m
38.5-65 tons | 35-59 metric tons
60-70 years
Sperm Whale
335.000
488.000
1900.000
59000.000
70.00
268000
GUIDE
3D
Sperm Whale
13”-16” | 34-41 cm
16”-19” | 41-49 cm
6.5’-7.75’ | 1.98-2.36 m
51-174 lb | 23-79 kg
20-25 years
Spinner Dolphin
41.000
49.000
236.000
79.000
25.00
9350
GUIDE
3D
Spinner Dolphin
16”-18” | 41-47 cm
20”-23” | 51-59 cm
7.17’-8.5’ | 2.19-2.59 m
198-331 lb | 90-150 kg
45-58 years
Striped Dolphin
47.000
59.000
259.000
150.000
58.00
7800
GUIDE
3D
Striped Dolphin
Vaquita
186000
12”-14” | 30-36 cm
12”-15” | 30-37 cm
4’-5’ | 1.2-1.5 m
100-110 lb | 45-50 kg
20 years (average)
Vaquita
36.000
37.000
150.000
50.000
20.00
186000
GUIDE
3D
Vaquita
Vaquita (Phocoena sinus)
Dimensioned side elevation drawing of a Vaquita compared to the size of a swimming person

Vaquitas are a marine mammal that have a very particular appearance with their eyes and mouth blacked out and their upper side of the body is grey. Vaquitas are small mammals and one of the world's rarest. In 2018, researchers discovered that less than 10 vaquitas remain in the wild. Vaquitas have been on the endangered species list since the late 90s. Their environment is in the Gulf of California in Mexico, which is about 900 square miles. A big factor of their extinction is from increasingly lack of fish, squid, and crustaceans that make up their diet.

The typical Vaquita has an overall height of 12”-14” (30-36 cm) and body length of 4’-5’ (1.2-1.5 m). An average Vaquita weighs between 100-110 lb (45-50 kg) and has a typical lifespan of 20 years (average).

Pair of drawings of a Vaquita in jumping and front positions
Vaquitas are marine mammals with a very particular appearance with their eyes and mouth blacked out and their upper side of the body is grey. Vaquitas have a size of four to five feet long (1.2-1.5 m) and weigh in around 120 pounds (50 kg). Vaquitas are small mammals and one of the world's rarest.

The typical Vaquita has an overall height of 12”-14” (30-36 cm) and body length of 4’-5’ (1.2-1.5 m). An average Vaquita weighs between 100-110 lb (45-50 kg) and has a typical lifespan of 20 years (average).

Pair of drawings of a Vaquita in jumping and front positions
Vaquita (Phocoena sinus)
Height:
12”-14” | 30-36 cm
Width:
12”-15” | 30-37 cm
Length:
4’-5’ | 1.2-1.5 m
Depth:
Weight:
100-110 lb | 45-50 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Phocoena sinus
Lifespan
20 years (average)

Drawings include:
Vaquita side elevation, jumping, front

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Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)
Measured comparison illustration of the size of a Dall's Porpoise to a typical person and similar species

Dall’s porpoises are the largest and only marine animals under the family Phocoenidae. They inhabit most parts of the North Pacific and also are the fastest swimmers compared to other small cetaceans. Dall’s porpoises are identified by distinctive double-color patterns which make them resemble baby killer whales. However, they show a triangular-shaped dorsal fin and a lack of eye patches or saddle patches. Dall’s porpoises are differentiated from other porpoises by their robust bodies, short triangular heads with no or little snouts. Their flippers, usually small and round, are positioned close to their anterior. Dall’s porpoises are opportunistic hunters, social, most often found in groups of two to a dozen.

Dall's Porpoises have a total length between 5.92’-8’ (1.8-2.44 m), body height of 18”-25” (47-63 cm), and width of 14”-18.5” (35-47 cm). The typical weight of the Dall's Porpoise is in the range of 265-353 lb (120-160 kg). Dall's Porpoise have lifespans between 15-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Dall's Porpoise in top and side poses
Dall’s porpoises are the largest and only marine animals under the family Phocoenidae. They inhabit most parts of the North Pacific and also are the fastest swimmers compared to other small cetaceans. Dall’s porpoises are identified by distinctive double-color patterns like baby killer whales.

Dall's Porpoises have a total length between 5.92’-8’ (1.8-2.44 m), body height of 18”-25” (47-63 cm), and width of 14”-18.5” (35-47 cm). The typical weight of the Dall's Porpoise is in the range of 265-353 lb (120-160 kg). Dall's Porpoise have lifespans between 15-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Dall's Porpoise in top and side poses
Dall's Porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)
Height:
18”-25” | 47-63 cm
Width:
14”-18.5” | 35-47 cm
Length:
5.92’-8’ | 1.8-2.44 m
Depth:
Weight:
265-353 lb | 120-160 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Phocoenoides dalli
Lifespan
15-20 years

Drawings include:

Dall's Porpoise side elevation, front, top

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Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)
Scale illustration of an average Indus River Dolphin compared to a human and similar species

The Indus river dolphin is an endangered marine mammal found in the river of Pakistan and classified under the family Platanistidae. It is identified by a long sharp snout, visible teeth even with a closed mouth, and relies mostly on echolocation for navigation and hunting unlike other cetaceans because it has very low vision. The Indus river dolphin can swim on its side besides having a dorsal fin resembling a small triangular lump. Their flippers and tails are thin and large and the body is brown in color. They also migrate seasonally either downstream or upstream and are usually killed by humans because of competition for fish.

Indus River Dolphins have a total length between 7’-8.17’ (2.13-2.49 m), body height of 16”-19” (42-49 cm), and width of 19”-22” (48-56 cm). The typical weight of the Indus River Dolphin is in the range of 154-243 lb (70-110 kg). Indus River Dolphin have lifespans between 18-26 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Indus River Dolphin seen from the side and top
The Indus river dolphin is an endangered marine mammal found in the river of Pakistan and classified under the family Platanistidae. It is identified by a long sharp snout, visible teeth even with a closed mouth, and relies mostly on echolocation for navigation and hunting unlike other cetaceans.

Indus River Dolphins have a total length between 7’-8.17’ (2.13-2.49 m), body height of 16”-19” (42-49 cm), and width of 19”-22” (48-56 cm). The typical weight of the Indus River Dolphin is in the range of 154-243 lb (70-110 kg). Indus River Dolphin have lifespans between 18-26 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Indus River Dolphin seen from the side and top
Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor)
Height:
16”-19” | 42-49 cm
Width:
19”-22” | 48-56 cm
Length:
7’-8.17’ | 2.13-2.49 m
Depth:
Weight:
154-243 lb | 70-110 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Platanista minor
Lifespan
18-26 years

Drawings include:

Indus River Dolphin side elevation, front, top

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Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Side elevation illustration of a Sperm Whale with dimensions for overall length and a scuba diver for scale

A Sperm Whale is a predator and is the largest toothed whale in the oceans. Sperm whales can live up to 60 years and baby whales (calves) are raised with their mothers a quarter of their life. The name sperm whale comes from the whaling industry that hunted them for oil lamps, lubricants, and candles. The sperm whale has a unique look characterized by its block-shaped head and its distinct blowhole. Sperm whales’ prey off squid and octopus. Sperm whales can weigh in over 40 tons and have a length of 50 feet (15 m), making it one of the biggest sea animals.

The typical Sperm Whale has an overall height of 6’9”-11’ (2.06-3.35 m) and body length of 39’-62’ (12-19 m). An average Sperm Whale weighs between 38.5-65 tons (35-59 metric tons) and has a typical lifespan of 60-70 years.

Pair of top and bottom drawings of a Sperm Whale
The Sperm Whale is the largest toothed whale in the oceans. Sperm whales can live up to 60 years and baby whales (calves) are raised with their mothers a quarter of their life. The name sperm whale comes from the whaling industry that hunted them for oil lamps, lubricants, and candles.

The typical Sperm Whale has an overall height of 6’9”-11’ (2.06-3.35 m) and body length of 39’-62’ (12-19 m). An average Sperm Whale weighs between 38.5-65 tons (35-59 metric tons) and has a typical lifespan of 60-70 years.

Pair of top and bottom drawings of a Sperm Whale
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Height:
6’9”-11’ | 2.06-3.35 m
Width:
10.5’-16’ | 3.21-4.88 m
Length:
39’-62’ | 12-19 m
Depth:
Weight:
38.5-65 tons | 35-59 metric tons
Area:
Scientific Name
Physeter macrocephalus
Lifespan
60-70 years

Drawings include:
Sperm Whale side elevation, top, bottom

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Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
Scale illustration of an average Common Dolphin compared to a human and similar species

The Common Dolphin falls under the family Delphinidae inhabiting all warm-temperate and tropical waters. The dolphins are medium-sized with males having prominent postanal humps. The common dolphin’s body is wrapped in a rare color pattern with its back black and bell white. The short-beaked common dolphin has a smaller snout, slightly stockier body with a better-rounded melon when compared to a long-beaked common dolphin. Their life is rich in speed games, acrobatic stunts and are extremely social that they engage in bow-rides, breaching, and feeding other marine animals like seabirds. Additionally, they would come together to take care of a sick or injured member.

They have a surprisingly high vocalizations and fondness for traveling in large social groupings where they are often spotted breaching, bow-riding, and porpoising at the water surface. Though males have a larger body set than females, both sex shows a predominance of black or dark grey color with several spots of color bands along their sides. Besides, they have the highest tooth-count when compared to other dolphins. They are also frequent in captivity.

Common Dolphins have a total length between 6.17’-8.5’ (1.88-2.59 m), body height of 14”-20” (36-50 cm), and width of 16”-22” (40-55 cm). The typical weight of the Common Dolphin is in the range of 220-298 lb (100-135 kg). Common Dolphin have lifespans between 25-40 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Common Dolphin seen from the side and top
The Common Dolphin falls under the family Delphinidae inhabiting all warm-temperate and tropical waters. The dolphins are medium-sized with males having prominent postanal humps. The common dolphin’s body is wrapped in a rare color pattern with its back black and bell white.

Common Dolphins have a total length between 6.17’-8.5’ (1.88-2.59 m), body height of 14”-20” (36-50 cm), and width of 16”-22” (40-55 cm). The typical weight of the Common Dolphin is in the range of 220-298 lb (100-135 kg). Common Dolphin have lifespans between 25-40 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Common Dolphin seen from the side and top
Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
Height:
14”-20” | 36-50 cm
Width:
16”-22” | 40-55 cm
Length:
6.17’-8.5’ | 1.88-2.59 m
Depth:
Weight:
220-298 lb | 100-135 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Delphinus delphis
Lifespan
25-40 years

Drawings include:

Common Dolphin side elevation, front, top

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