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Glite Dictionary
Balaenopteridae

Balaenopteridae

9.9
Large whales with plates in their mouths and throat folds, like blue whales
  • noun
  • /ˌbæl.eɪ.nəˈpɔː.tɪˌdeɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : balaenopteridos
  • The Balaenopteridae are distinguished by their pleated throat grooves, which allow expansion during feeding.

Examples

  • Scientists have classified the blue whale, the largest animal ever known, within the family Balaenopteridae.

  • Many species in the Balaenopteridae family are migratory, traveling thousands of miles between feeding and breeding grounds.

  • The Balaenopteridae family includes some of the largest animals on Earth.

  • Did you know that the Balaenopteridae can grow up to 100 feet long?

  • The blue whale belongs to the Balaenopteridae family, known for their massive size and distinct throat grooves.

  • Many members of the Balaenopteridae family, such as the rorquals, are known for their remarkable feeding techniques.

  • Researchers study the Balaenopteridae to understand the behavior of large baleen whales in their natural habitat.

Surface Forms

Balaenopteridae singular
Balaenopteridae plural

Morphology

Balaenopteridae = Balaenoptera (opaque) = balaen + ptera + idae

Formed from classical combining forms and the taxonomic family suffix '-idae', which is not transparent to average learners unfamiliar with scientific naming conventions.

Etymology

Balaenopteridae comes from the parts balaena ('whale'), pter- ('wing' or 'fin') and the family ending -idae ('group'). A helpful way to remember it is to see balaena like in baleen and pter- like in helicopter, so the name fits these large baleen whales with long, wing-like fins and a body shaped for fast swimming.