FALSE KILLER WHALE

Pseudorca crassidens

The false killer whale got its name because it shares similar characteristics with the orca (also known as the killer whale), although they are not directly related.  Like orcas, they can attack dolphins and whales, including sperm whales; although they more commonly feed on large fish (such as tuna) and cephalopods (squid and octopus).  False killer whales have a bad reputation, especially among fishermen, because they often take large fish from the fishermen’s longlines. They are not shy in the presences of boats and are frequently seen riding bow waves. Groups are usually made up of 10 – 60 individuals, although groups may join to form superpods of hundreds. False killer whales are found in tropical to warm temperate waters, but it is not known if they migrate as not much is known about their populations. In the Azores false killer whales are sighted occasionally, sometimes with other species such as bottlenose dolphins.

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Species Details

Length

Male: 6 m
Female: 5 m
Calf:  1.5 – 2.1 m

Weight

Male: 2,200 kg
Female: 1,200kg
Calf:  80 kg

Species Specs

Global population: c.325,000 (population trend unknown)
Status: Data Deficient
Diet: Fish, cephalopods, marine mammals
Teeth: 32 – 44
Longevity: 20 years
Breeding age: Unknown
Gestation: 11 months
Nursing: 18 months

In other languages

Portuguese: Falsa-orca
Spanish: Falsa-orca
French: Fausse orque
Italian: Pseudorca
German: Kleiner Schwertwal, Unechter Schwertwal
Dutch:  Zwarte zwaardwalvis
Swedish: Halvspäckhuggare, falsk späckhuggare
Norwegian: Falsk spekkhogger
Danish: Halvspækhugger
Finnish: Pikkumiekkavalas
Polish: Szablogrzbiet
Russian: Chornaya kasatka, malaya kasatka

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