Most notably, the magnificent False Killer Whale has a quite broad, yet specific distribution. In addition, the coloring typically consists of a pattern of dark gray or black on the upper side and a slightly lighter coloring underneath.ĬC License: False Killer Whale Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology On the other hand, exceptional female individuals may attain a maximum known weight of about 2,600 lb (1,200 kg). As a result of this tendency, these males sometimes reach a maximum measured weight of 4,900 lb (2,200 kg). However, exceptional male individuals do tend to attain a greater length and weight. Therefore, each gender typically attains an average body length of about 16.1 ft (4.9 m). However, in the case of this species, the visible physical difference remains very slight.ĭue to this fact, individuals of both genders of this particular species attain roughly the same size. While the IUCN does include it on the Red List of Threatened Species, its current status remains Data Deficient.īeluga Whale Narwhal Hourglass Dolphin Source: ĬC License: False Killer Whale Physical Descriptionįirstly, the False Killer Whale, like many related species displays a certain degree of sexual dimorphism. Due to such activities, in addition to other dangers, it now faces grave concerns for its future.Additionally, this predominantly occurs in Japan, where it, unfortunately, remains the target of organized hunting drives. However, due to its depredation of fishing lines, it continues to be routinely hunted in parts of its endemic range.As a result of this behavior, it remains the only member of its group to ride bow waves on a regular basis. This species also exhibits the same spirit of playfulness that the smaller and better-known dolphin species do.This impressive ocean species actually represents one of the largest members of the dolphin family. Thus, the remarkable animal isn’t a whale at all. Despite the common name, the False Killer Whale is a member of the Blackfish group.Chapman CC License: False Killer Whale Facts But there is one population, who live in shallower waters off Hawaii, that is well–studied, and a lot of what we do know comes from this group.Source: Photographer: C.C. The populations seem to be pretty spread out, and are often found in deeper seas which means that we don’t know an awful lot about them. Sadly, most of what we know about where they live and the routes they travel, comes from studying individuals who have stranded - in fact we don’t even really know if they migrate. These remarkable dolphins are found in tropical to warm, temperate waters all over the world. They will hunt together and share food around between pod members and have even been known to offer food to human divers and snorkelers. They eat bigger fish than many other dolphin species with an appetite for tuna and mahi-mahi and can consume up to five per cent of their own body weight every day.įeeding isn’t a solitary pursuit. Can you imagine what an awesome spectacle that is if you are lucky enough to witness it?Ī false killer whale mum will nurse her baby for up to two years while she teaches her or him everything they need to know about being a dolphin.įalse killer whales mostly eat fish and squid but sometimes they go for other marine mammals, such as smaller dolphins or even humpback and sperm whales, although scientists aren’t sure if they eat them or just kill them to get rid of the competition for food. Sometimes they will join with other pods to form superpods of hundreds of individuals. These spirited dolphins tend to swim energetically in groups of 10 to 40 dolphins, jumping out of the water, performing flips and generally mucking about together. They are highly social, forming strong, lasting bonds and friendships. What’s life like for a false killer whale?įamily and friends are everything if you’re a false killer whale. False killer whales are much bigger and their size and unique flippers mean you can tell them apart, but only if you know what you are looking for. They look similar to pygmy killer whales and melon-headed whales and are very difficult to tell apart. These dolphins will usually have a slightly paler neck and some individuals have a pale ‘W’ shape on their chest. They have long, slim S-shaped flippers that make them look as though they have elbows and a tall, tapered dorsal fin. You’ll recognise these dolphins pretty easily because of their long, slender, black or dark grey bodies, a narrow pointed head with no beak and a prominent bulbous forehead, or ‘melon’.