L'INFO DES CÉTACÉS

The site for discovering, learning about and discussing Whales, Dolphins, Sperm Whales, Killer Whales and Porpoises.
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Welcome to Cetace.info

The collaborative site devoted to the fascinating world of cetaceans

Our mission is simple: to raise awareness of, understand and protect the 80 cetacean species that people the oceans of the globe, from the majestic blue whales to the discreet porpoises.

Thanks to your contributions, we are gathering as many photos, videos and sounds and detailed species profiles as possible for each species. This project is alive, participatory and open to all: the curious, enthusiasts, naturalists or simply nature lovers.

  • Every sighting counts
  • Every account enriches our database
  • Together, we are building a collective memory of the cetaceans

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Join the adventure, and take an active part in marine knowledge.

Discover the wonders of the marine world

Have you ever wondered how whales, dolphins or killer whales live in their natural habitat? Explore their world through our articles, videos and themed features.
The Cetacean Journal

An immersion at the heart of the cetacean world

Explore the fascinating world of whales, dolphins, killer whales, sperm whales and porpoises.

Nothing matches the first encounter with a cetacean in its natural environment. Whether through reading, listening or watching, every interaction brings us a little closer to these majestic giants.

  • Documented articles, accessible to all
  • Accounts from experts and enthusiasts
  • Educational resources and committed news coverage

Frequently asked questions: all about cetaceans

What is the difference between a whale and a dolphin?

The main difference lies in size: the term “whale” generally refers to the largest cetaceans, while “dolphin” applies to the smaller ones. But both belong to the same order, that of the cetaceans. Some dolphins, such as the killer whale, are in fact larger than certain whales. See the differences between whale, sperm whale and dolphin in detail.

How many cetacean species are there in the world?

Today 94 living cetacean species are recorded: 15 mysticetes, the baleen whales, and 79 odontocetes, the toothed whales, dolphins, sperm whales, killer whales and porpoises included. Some are well known, others very discreet and little studied. Browse all the species.

Are cetaceans fish?

No, they are marine mammals. Like us, they breathe air with lungs, suckle their young and have to come back up to the surface regularly. Their ancestors were land mammals that returned to the sea some fifty million years ago: that is the whole story of cetacean evolution.

Why do cetaceans sing?

The sounds cetaceans make serve to communicate, to find their way and to locate their prey. Whales produce long, complex songs, audible tens of kilometres away. Each species occupies its own frequency range, as our page on the acoustic profile of cetaceans sets out. You can listen to them in our sound library.

Where can cetaceans be watched in the wild?

In many regions of the world. In France, they are seen in the Mediterranean, in the Bay of Biscay and off Brittany: our map of cetaceans in France locates the areas. Elsewhere, Iceland, the Azores, Canada, Norway and Réunion are renowned, and our sighting hotspots list them.

Are cetaceans threatened?

Yes, a great many of them are. The main pressures are bycatch in fishing gear, pollution, climate disruption and underwater noise. The conservation status of each species is tracked by the IUCN, and our how to act page lists the practical levers.