An order of wholly aquatic MAMMALS occurring in all the OCEANS and adjoining seas of the world, as well as in certain river systems. They feed generally on FISHES, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Most are gregarious and most have a relatively long period of parental care and maturation. Included are DOLPHINS; PORPOISES; and WHALES. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, pp969-70)
    

concept

A blunt headed cachalot, a gibbous cachalot, a porpoise and a dolphin. Etching by J Scott, ca 1812, after S Edwards.

A narwhal, a common whale and a pike-headed whale. Etching by J Scott, ca 1812, after S Edwards.

The natural history of the ordinary Cetacea or whales / Illustrated by thirty-two coloured plates, numerous wood-cuts, with memoirs and portrait of Lacepede.

Studien über Säugethiere : ein Beitrag zur Frage nach dem Ursprung der Cetaceen / von Max Weber.

The natural history of the amphibious carnivora, including the walrus and seals, also of the herbivorous cetacea, &c / Illustrated by thirty-three plates, with memoir and portrait of Peron.

Guide to the whales, porpoises, and dolphins (order cetacea) : exhibited in the Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London, S.W / [drawn up by R. Lydekker].

Recent memoirs on the Cetacea / by Professor Eschricht, Reinhardt and Lilljeborg ; edited by William Henry Flower.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

Please note, our Changing Places toilet is currently out of service and undergoing repair works.

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

Cetacea

Images

Catalogue

The natural history of the ordinary Cetacea or whales / Illustrated by thirty-two coloured plates, numerous wood-cuts, with memoirs and portrait of Lacepede.

Studien über Säugethiere : ein Beitrag zur Frage nach dem Ursprung der Cetaceen / von Max Weber.

The natural history of the amphibious carnivora, including the walrus and seals, also of the herbivorous cetacea, &c / Illustrated by thirty-three plates, with memoir and portrait of Peron.

Guide to the whales, porpoises, and dolphins (order cetacea) : exhibited in the Department of Zoology, British Museum (Natural History), Cromwell Road, London, S.W / [drawn up by R. Lydekker].

Recent memoirs on the Cetacea / by Professor Eschricht, Reinhardt and Lilljeborg ; edited by William Henry Flower.