Cetaceans are a group of marine mammals comprised of baleen whales, the toothed whales, dolphins, and porpoises. In evolutionary history, they are descended from land-dwelling four-footed creatures. The closest living terrestrial relatives to whales are the pygmy and common hippopotamus.

Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales, reaching up to 20.5 metres. They often dive to 800 metres where they primarily feed on medium-sized squid, though they will also prey on the giant or colossal squid.

Killer whales are the largest members of the dolphin family, with males growing to 8 metres long. Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea feed primarily on salmon with their cone-shaped teeth. Transient killer whales feed on marine mammals like seals and sea lions.

Porpoises form a family of cetaceans, distinguished by their spade-shaped teeth and short beaks. Porpoises eat fishes, cephalopods, and some deep-sea organisms.