Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Marine Mammalogy

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Marine Mammalogy 1. Baleen vs. Toothed One of the first distinctions we encounter in marine mammalogy is between baleen and toothed whales. While baleen whales have baleen plates to filter food, toothed whales have teeth for hunting and capturing prey. Remember, baleen rhymes with 'whaleen,' which can help you recall this difference. 2. Seal vs. Sea Lion Seals and sea lions are often confused due to their similar appearances. However, there are a few key differences. Sea lions have external ear flaps and are more agile on land, while seals lack external ear flaps and move clumsily on land. Think of the 'L' in sea lion as representing 'land,' which can help you remember this distinction. 3. Dolphin vs. Porpoise Dolphins and porpoises are both cetaceans, but they have some notable differences. Dolphins are generally larger, have a curved dorsal fin, and a beak-like snout. Porpoises, on the other hand, are smaller, have a triangular dorsal fin, and a more rounded snout. Remember, dolphins are often associated with their friendly 'smile,' which can help you differentiate them from porpoises. 4. Pinniped