cétacé

Cetacean is a term used to refer to marine mammals belonging to the infraorder Cetacea. This group includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Cetaceans are characterized by their streamlined bodies, horizontal tail flukes for propulsion, and blowholes for breathing. They are found in all the world's oceans, from polar regions to the tropics.

Cetaceans are broadly divided into two suborders: Odontoceti (toothed whales) and Mysticeti (baleen whales). Toothed whales, such as dolphins and orcas, possess teeth and typically hunt individual prey like fish and squid. Baleen whales, like the blue whale and humpback whale, have baleen plates in their mouths instead of teeth, which they use to filter small organisms such as krill and plankton from the water.

These animals are highly intelligent and social, often living in groups called pods. They communicate through a variety of vocalizations, including clicks, whistles, and songs, which are used for navigation, hunting, and social interaction. Many cetacean species undertake long migrations, traveling between feeding grounds and breeding areas. They are an integral part of marine ecosystems, playing important roles in the food web. Conservation efforts are crucial for many cetacean populations due to threats like pollution, habitat loss, and bycatch in fishing gear.