Feeding
Mysticetes
These are a group of whales that are predominantly defined by their characteristic baleen, the structure they rely on for feeding. Connected to the upper jaw are hundreds of flexible plates made of keratin. These structures are constantly being worn down and continuously grow throughout the animal's life. Connected to the plates are coarse bristles that grow downward and help the whales filter feed. They take in huge mouth fulls, about 20,000 liters at a time for the average humpback. They are able to do this thanks to their broad skull and their unique lower mandibles, which are not fused, unlike in other mammals.This allows for a greater degree of jaw rotation, allowing them to take in more water. Once they close their mouth they push out the water and use their bristles to trap what is left behind, this is known as lunge- feeding. They use their muscular tongues to help ingest anything that has been trapped within the baleen, this action helps cause the wear on their plates. Their diet usually consists of krill, zooplankton, phytoplankton, algae, small crustaceans, and fish. (Perkins 2011)
Odontoceti
Odontoceti are a group of toothed whales that include sperm whales, orcas, beaked whales, porpoises, and dolphins. This group of whales is known to use echolocation to find their food. By making high frequency clicking noises they can listen for the sound waves to come back as they bounce off of potential prey. From this they can gather information such as the distance, density, and whether the prey is in motion or not. Their diet varies among species but some common prey includes octopus, squid, fish, crustaceans, seals, and birds.
Orcas, which are technically porpoises part of the order Cetacea, have been known to hunt other whales, sting rays, and even sharks. Orcas are apex predators due to their large size, powerful bodies, and intellectual cooperation when hunting. They are relentless hunters that have been known to chase mother whales with a calf until the calf is so tired it can no longer keep swimming. They also plan coordinated attacks, using their strong tails to create waves that can knock seals off from the safety floating icebergs. Orcas have even been seen predating on great white sharks. They have learned that by knocking the shark upside down they enter a dormant state where they are much easier to kill. Specifically, they enjoy eating the liver of the sharks, probably because it is high in fat, nutritious, and a tasty substantial meal. The liver of a great white shark can contain up to 600 lbs of meat. (Rigney 2021)