Today you're going to learn.

So I'll start with a dog update.
The family that visited yesterday will be taking Patience home with them this weekend. Yay for Patience! (A little sad for me, but still it's a happy thing because I know she's going to a good home.)

Alrighty.

So, today I'm going to teach you a little bit about whales.

So here's a quick sketch I did while I was away to get some of the basic anatomy information for whales.

purty, ain't it?

And here's another diagram, with a few more things labeled. (This particular diagram depicts a mystocete (baleen whale):

The top of their head is called their Rostrum.

A whale's tale is called their fluke or their caudal fin (it's also called a caudal fin for fish).

Pectoral fins are their side fins.

Whales may have a dorsal fin (a fin on their back). The North Atlantic Right Whale, for example, does not.

Within the order of Cetacea (whales), there are two suborders: Odontoceti and Mysticeti.

Odontocetes are toothed whales. They have teeth (obviously). Odontocetes have a single blowhole.
The suborder of Odontocetes includes sperm whales, pilot whales, beaked whales, dolphins, porpoises, and others.

Mysticetes are baleen whales. They have baleen (obviously). Baleen is used for filter feeding and is made of the same material as our hair or fingernails. Mystocetes have a double blowhole.
Some baleen whales (not all) also have throat grooves. (These types of whales are called Rorquals). The throat grooves allow for their throats to expand and allow them to take larger gulps.
The suborder of Mysticetes includes blue whales, humpback whales, right whales, bowhead whales, grey whales, and others.

I think that's all for now... maybe I'll come back later and add more when I think of more to add. And maybe I'll add some actual photos too to demonstrate some things further... We'll see.
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Trivia question for you all:
What is the largest dolphin?
Highlight for the answer: The Orca is the largest dolphin. Yep. The killer whale is actually a dolphin. 
Or click here.

HOORAY FOR LEARNING!