Whales and Dolphins
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of over 45 whale, dolphin and porpoise specimens (Cetacea). These date from 1875 to 2000.
This collection includes the two sub-orders of Cetacea – the baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti). It contains 76 skulls, skeletons, teeth and ear bones, four casts and six specimens preserved in spirit. There is also an example of whale spermaceti – the liquid wax found in the head of certain whales, which was highly prized by whalers. Many of the specimens are of dolphins and porpoises from Scotland, especially Argyllshire and Ayrshire coasts. There are also examples from the Arctic, the Davis Straits, New Zealand, the Aleutian Islands, South Georgia and South Africa.
About whales, dolphins and porpoises
Whales, dolphins and porpoises are aquatic mammals. Most live in sea water, but some live in fresh water or brackish water (water that is more salty than fresh water but not as salty as sea water). The sub-order Odontoceti includes all whales with teeth, as well as dolphin and porpoises. The sub-order Mysticeti contains the baleen whales, who feed by using baleen instead of teeth. The baleen in their mouths filters plankton from the water. This group includes bowhead whales, minke whales and humpback whales. - Broader term
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