toothed whale
Noun A type of whale characterized by having teeth, typically simple and conical in shape, in contrast to baleen whales which have plates for filter-feeding. Toothed whales are carnivorous and primarily feed on fish, squid, and other marine animals.
The term "toothed whale" is used to classify and describe a major group of cetaceans. It is a scientific and common name for the parvorder Odontoceti.
Examples: * The dolphin, a type of toothed whale, is known for its intelligence. * Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales. * The study focused on the echolocation abilities of various toothed whales.
- Collective Reference: The term is often used in plural form ("toothed whales") to refer to the entire taxonomic group.
- Most toothed whales live in social groups called pods.
- Odontocete (noun): The formal scientific term for a toothed whale.
- Odontocetes use echolocation to navigate and hunt.
- Baleen whale (noun): The contrasting group of whales that have baleen plates instead of teeth for filter-feeding.
- Odontocete
The term "toothed whale" has a single, specific zoological meaning referring to the members of the parvorder Odontoceti. It is not used idiomatically.
- any of several whales having simple conical teeth and feeding on fish etc.