Odontoceti refers to a suborder of cetaceans, which are mammals belonging to the order Cetacea. This suborder includes all species of toothed whales and dolphins. The name "odontoceti" is derived from the Greek words "odontos" meaning "tooth" and "ketos" meaning "sea monster."
Odontoceti are characterized by their possession of teeth, unlike their counterparts, the baleen whales (Mysticeti), which have baleen plates to filter and consume small prey. These whales and dolphins vary greatly in size, ranging from the smallest species, such as the vaquita and Maui’s dolphin, measuring under 1.5 meters, to the largest species, the sperm whale, reaching lengths of up to 20 meters.
Members of the odontoceti suborder are known for their exceptional intelligence, complex social structures, and diverse hunting strategies. Their teeth are used primarily for capturing prey, which consists of various fish species, squid, and occasionally marine mammals. The odontoceti suborder also includes species like the orca, commonly known as the killer whale, which can be apex predators in their ecosystems.
These marine mammals possess a streamlined body shape, adapted for efficient swimming, as well as a blowhole located on the top of their head to facilitate breathing. They communicate using a variety of vocalizations, often referred to as clicks, whistles, and songs, which they produce by passing air through their nasal passages.
Overall, the odontoceti suborder comprises a diverse group of marine mammals that play integral roles in marine ecosystems, exhibiting fascinating behaviors and adaptations that contribute to their survival in their oceanic habitats.
