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What kinds of prey do toothed whales eat?
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cetacean
Whales (order Cetacea).
Toothed whales, known as odontocetes, are active hunters that use their teeth to grasp individual prey rather than for chewing. Their diet is diverse and varies by species, but generally includes:12
- Fish: A primary food source for many toothed whales.123
- Squid: Many species, including the sperm whale, are known to hunt squid; sperm whales specifically dive to great depths to capture giant squid.12
- Other Marine Animals: Some larger toothed whales, such as killer whales, have been observed hunting seals and even other whale species.2
- Invertebrates: Many dolphins feed on a variety of invertebrates in addition to fish and squid.3
These cetaceans swallow their prey whole. Some species have developed sophisticated hunting strategies, such as the cooperative feeding behaviors observed in killer whales or the use of tools by certain bottlenose dolphins to flush prey from the seafloor.123