How do baleen whales catch food without teeth?

Baleen whales do not use teeth to catch food; instead, they are filter feeders that utilize specialized structures called baleen plates.123

These plates are made of keratin—the same protein found in human hair and nails—and hang in two rows from the roof of the whale's mouth. To feed, a whale takes in a large quantity of water containing small prey, such as plankton, krill, or small fish. When the whale closes its mouth, it uses its tongue to squeeze the water out through the sides of its jaws. The bristly, frayed inner edges of the baleen plates act as a sieve, trapping the tiny organisms inside so they can be swallowed.1425

While some species, such as humpback whales, may use cooperative strategies like "bubble netting" to concentrate their prey, the fundamental mechanism for food procurement remains this efficient filtration process.2