Final answer:
Cetaceans have large and robust skulls, a blunt snout, and either teeth or baleen plates. These adaptations help them swim efficiently and catch their prey.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cetaceans, which include whales, dolphins, and porpoises, have several characteristics in their skulls. Some of these characteristics include:
- Large size: The skulls of cetaceans are generally large and robust to support their massive bodies. For example, the skull of a blue whale can be more than 5 meters long!
- Blunt snout: Cetaceans have a blunt snout, or rostrum, which helps them swim efficiently through water.
- Teeth or baleen plates: Depending on the species, cetaceans have teeth or baleen plates in their skulls. Toothed cetaceans, such as dolphins, have sharp teeth for catching and eating prey. Baleen whales, on the other hand, have baleen plates that act as filters to trap tiny prey, such as krill and small fish.
These are just a few examples of the characteristics of a cetacean skull. Each species may have specific adaptations depending on their feeding habits and lifestyle.