Whale Species in Canada
“Whale” is the common name for large marine mammals of the order Cetartiodactyla (formerly Cetacea). They are subdivided into the Mysticeti, or baleen whales, and Odontoceti, or toothed whales. Smaller kinds of toothed whales are called dolphins or porpoises. Thirty-five whale species are found at least occasionally in Canadian waters — 9 species of baleen whales, and 26 species of toothed whales (including dolphins and porpoises). The commercial pursuit of these animals was significant in early European exploration of Canada (see Whaling). Since the 1972 moratorium on commercial whaling in Canada, whale watching has become popular. Whales range in size from about 30 kg for some smaller dolphins to over 150 tonnes for the blue whale, making it the largest animal ever known.