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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 ]
Approving two proposed killer whale species could transform how they're conserved. It would also turn a new page in one of the strangest chapters in marine mammal history.
English-speaking scientists most often use the term "killer whale", although the term "orca" is increasingly used. Killer whale advocates point out it has a long heritage. Indeed, the genus name Orcinus means "of the kingdom of the dead". Killer whales are apex predators, meaning that they themselves have no natural predators. They are ...
Although gray whales, blue whales and humpback whales are expected in Southern California waters, orcas are a rare treat for whale watchers. In rare SoCal appearance, orcas show why they're called ...
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 ...
Some cetaceans were the only modern ungulates that were carnivores; baleen whales consume significantly smaller animals in relation to their body size, such as small species of fish and krill; toothed whales, depending on the species, can consume a wide range of species: squid, fish, sharks, and other species of mammals such as seals and other ...
“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.”