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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