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Orcas, despite being dolphins, are commonly called 'killer whales' due to a mistranslation of the Spanish 'asesino de ballenas' (literally 'whale killer'), reflecting their historical predation on whales. [6] Since the 1960s, the use of "orca" instead of "killer whale" has steadily grown in common use. [7]
Orcinus is a genus of Delphinidae, the family of carnivorous marine mammals known as dolphins. It includes the largest delphinid species, Orcinus orca , known as the orca or killer whale. Two extinct species are recognised, Orcinus paleorca and O. citoniensis , describing fossilised remains of the genus. [ 2 ]
Both species are relatively small whales, 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft) in length, with a forehead melon, and a short or absent snout. Premaxillary teeth are absent. [ 1 ] They do not have a true dorsal fin, but do have a narrow ridge running along the back, which is much more pronounced in the narwhal.
Orcas, or “killer whales,” can grow up to 27 feet long and weigh as much as six tons. Known as the ocean’s top predator, they’re extremely intelligent, with their own languages of clicks ...
Killer whales play an important role in our ocean's ecosystem. Female orcas can live up to 90 years, and male orcas live up to 60 years. ... In 2016, California was the first state to ban the ...
Today, marine species range in size from the microscopic phytoplankton, which can be as small as 0.02–micrometres; to huge cetaceans like the blue whale, which can reach 33 m (108 ft) in length. [5] [6] Marine microorganisms have been variously estimated as constituting about 70% [7] or about 90% [8] [1] of the total marine biomass.
“Killer whales are very physical,” he said, “and because they’re 25 feet long and weigh up to 8,000 pounds, when they are physical with an object, it can be a little bit more forceful.”
The False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) is the 3rd largest species in the delphinid family, with a length of up to six meters, a black coat and rounded head reminiscent of pilot whales, but a more elongated body, an almost melon-less head and a larger mouth. Its behavior is also more energetic.