 | Quick Facts |  |
|  | Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
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Order Cetacea
Dolphins (2)
Rorquals (2)
Sperm Whales (1)
This order is made up of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Though they are mammals, they live their entire lives in the water. They have a streamlined shape with paddle shaped front flippers and flattened tail flukes . They are basically hairless and have very few external features that would cause drag. They also have a thick subcutaneous layer of blubber used to help conserve body heat. Most cetaceans can dive to great depths and they have an incredibly efficient circulatory and respiratory system.
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