Cetacean Trivia | Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast

Welcome to the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast! If you’ve ever been awed by the mighty blue whale, captivated by the intelligence of dolphins, or curious about the mysterious narwhal, you’re in for a splashy treat. In this special episode, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of cetaceans—those remarkable marine mammals that include whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Whether you’re a marine biology buff, a trivia aficionado, or just a fan of breathtaking ocean creatures, this episode is designed to delight and challenge listeners of all ages. Cetaceans are among the most captivating animals on Earth, boasting incredible adaptations, unique behaviors, and a rich evolutionary history. By tuning in to our cetacean trivia episode, you’ll not only test your knowledge but also discover fun facts that will make waves at your next trivia night or conversation with fellow ocean enthusiasts.

Book of the Week

Cetaceans–whales, dolphins, and porpoises–represent an evolutionary peak with respect to their advanced cognitive capacities, flexible communication systems, and structured, multilevel societies. Indeed, the social lives of whales and dolphins have long fascinated scientists and the public alike. The Evolution of Cetacean Societies provides a comprehensive overview of the significant advancements made in studying cetacean behavior and ecology over the last twenty-five years, focusing on our growing understanding of these animals’ complex social lives.

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Episode Transcript/Quiz

Episode Intro

Grab your scuba gear and let’s dive in. This week, it’s cetacean trivia. Cetaceans, those water dwelling mammals that we all love, right?

As always, we’ve got three rounds of ten questions each. A dork, geeky, and nerdy round, each one harder than the last.

If you’re on the hunt for more trivia, visit DorkyGeekyNerdy.com.

I’m your slightly buoyant host, Brian Rollins and this is episode 340 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast.

Deep breath and let’s go.

The Dorky Round

What is the largest animal on Earth?
a. The Blue Whale
What do you call a group of dolphins?
a. A pod
Whales come in two varieties, toothed and what?
a. Baleen. These whales are filter feeders.
Cetacea are broken into three groups: Whales, dolphins, and what?
a. Porpoises
What animal is often misnamed as a Killer Whale?
a. Orca.
What 1993 film revolves around the liberation of an orca?
a. Free Willy
All cetaceans belong to what class?
a. Mammalia or mammal.
Which ocean is home to the most species of cetaceans?
a. It’s the Pacific Ocean
How do whales communicate over vast distances?
a. They sing. Whale’s low frequency sounds can travel up to 10,000 miles.
What 1851 novel follows the crew of the whaling ship, Pequod, and her revenge-minded captain?
a. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

The Geeky Round

Which cetacean is known for its long spiral tusk?
a. Narwhal
What is the largest toothed whale?
a. The Sperm whale
What type of whales are brought to the future in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home?
a. Humpback whales
The iconic Flipper from the 1960s TV show, was what kind of dolphin?
a. A Bottlenose dolphin
What is the name for the method used by dolphins to emit sound for navigation and hunting?
a. Echolocation
Cetaceans breathe through what opening?
a. A blowhole
Typically, what shape are dolphin’s teeth?
a. Cone-shaped.
What do you call a baby cetacean?
a. A calf
Usually, how many babies do cetacean mothers have a time?
a. One. In the case of twins, one usually dies because the mother cannot produce enough milk.
Of the three groups, whales, dolphins, and porpoises, which can survive in freshwater?
a. Only dolphins and porpoises.

The Nerdy Round

Baleen whales have bristles made from what?
a. Keratin. Like our hair and nails.
Bailey, in Finding Dory, was what type of white, toothed whale?
a. He was a Beluga Whale
Some whales (like beluga and narwhal) have the highest brain-to-body mass ratio after what animal?
a. Humans. Though, sometimes I wonder.
What’s the term for a cetacean’s tale?
a. A fluke. Scientists use patterns on the fluke to identify individual animals.
What popular animated TV show features an episode with a dolphin rebellion?
a. The Simpsons. It was their Treehouse of Horror IX episode.
What is the smallest cetacean living on Earth?
a. The Vaquita. The porpoise only measures about 140 cm. It’s found in the northern end of the Gulf of California and is critically endangered.
In 2025, which country hunted and killed the most whales?
a. Norway. They took more than double that of Japan. The US took 68, but these were for subsistence for Native American tribes.
Sperm whales have a reciprocal predator-prey relationship with what mollusk?
a. The Giant Squid. They both eat and are eaten by the deep-sea creatures.
What phenomenon causes whales to beach themselves in groups?
a. Mass stranding
The oldest whale in the world is over 200 years old. Which species is it?
a. A Bowhead whale. Scientists estimate the whale was born around 1814.

Episode Conclusion

And that’s it. It was whale of an episode, right? Yes, that pun was on porpoise. Trivia and jokes. We’ve got all here. Let me know what you think about the trivia on social media. I know the jokes are brilliant, so no need to comment.

Next week, it’s geography and history trivia. Here’s a hint:

What South American country gets its name from Italian explorers calling it ‘made of silver’?

This is our second visit to South America. I’ll see you back here on Wednesday.

This was the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. If you’d like to help support the show and get extra stuff, consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dorkygeekynerdy.

This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Brian Rollins. If you love audiobooks or are looking to have a book turned into an audiobook, contact me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

The theme music is Punchfunk by the band, Punchfunk. Listen to all their music on Spotify.

Thanks for listening.