What do Whales Eat?

Whale diets 

Have you ever wondered what the world's largest mammals eat?  As it turns out, whales don't eat large prey.  Most whales, and in particular the baleen whales, feed on some of the smallest animals in the ocean.  They feed on small plankton and krill which drift with the nutrient rich waters where the whales live. 

Not all whales feed on plankton however.  Sperm whales for instance feed on animals like giant squid in the deep waters of the ocean.  Some orca whales feed on salmon while others feed on marine mammals like sea otters and sea lions.

More Video of Whale Diets

More links to learn about what whales eat

• Baleen Whale feeding habits
• Orca Whale feeding habits