Family Monodontidae - Narwhal and White Whale (2 species in 2 genera)

This is a family of small whales (less than 6 m in length), with stocky bodies, blunt bulbous heads, broad rounded flippers, and no dorsal fins. Both species are inhabitants of arctic and subarctic areas of the Northern Hemisphere. The skull is unique in that, in profile, it is very flat, with little or no rise in the area of the nares. Unlike the situation in most cetaceans, the cervical vertebrae are generally not fused, allowing monodontids a great range of neck flexibility.

Genera

Genus Delphinapterus containing 1 species:
Delphinapterus leucas (White whale)

Genus Monodon containing 1 species:
Monodon monoceros (Narwhal)

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Cetacea
Suborder Odontoceti
Family Monodontidae

Scientific synonyms and common names

Family Monodontidae

Common Names

Narwhal and White Whale [English]

Sorry, there are no literature references available for this taxon.

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