What’s the difference between dolphins and whales?

Question

I read that killer whales aren’t whales, they’re dolphins. But I also read that dolphins are whales. I’m so confused. So what are these things?

In: Biology

Answer 1

So there’s this group of animals called whales.

We divide that group into two categories: toothed whales and baleen whales.

The toothed whales are dolphins and porpoises. This includes the killer whale. So – all dolphins are whales. The killer whale is a dolphin *and* a whale.

The baleen whales are what you think of when you think “whale”. Humpback whales, blue whales, etc.

There are exceptions to this general overview, but it is a rule of thumb and an easy way to think about it. All dolphins are whales, but not all whales are dolphins. All whales are whales.