Monodontidae - Definition and Overview

The cetacean family Monodontidae comprises two unusual whale species, the Narwhal, in which the male has a long tusk, and the white Beluga.

Taxonomy

• ORDER Cetacea
  • Suborder Mysticeti
    • Family Eschrichtiidae: Gray Whale
    • Family Balaenopteridae: rorquals
    • Family Balaenidae right whales
    • Family Neobalaenidae: Pygmy Right Whale
  • Suborder Odontoceti
    • Family Platanistoidae: river dolphins
    • Family Delphinidae: oceanic dolphins
    • Family Phocoenidae: porpoises
    • Family Monodontidae
      • Beluga, Delphinapterus leucas
      • Narwhal, Monodon monoceros
    • Family Physeteridae: Sperm Whale
    • Family Kogiidae: Pygmy Sperm Whale and Dwarf Sperm Whale
    • Family Ziphiidae: beaked whales