Main Menu
  • All Animals
  • Animal Lists
    • By Scientific Name
    • By Class
    • By Location
    • Pictures
    • Favorites
  • Endangered
  • Reference
  • Blog
  • About

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

Last updated: January 20, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff

The false killer whale looks like a cross between a dolphin and orca!

Continue Reading after the facts...


False Killer Whale Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Delphinidae
Genus
Pseudorca
Scientific Name
Pseudorca crassidens

False Killer Whale Conservation Status

  • Near Threatened

False Killer Whale Locations

  • Ocean
False Killer Whale Locations

False Killer Whale Facts

Prey
Fish, squid, and marine mammals
Group Behavior
  • Pod
Fun Fact
The false killer whale looks like a cross between a dolphin and orca!
Estimated Population Size
Unknown
Biggest Threat
Competition with humans for food
Most Distinctive Feature
The versatile vocalizations
Other Name(s)
Blackfish or false pilot whale
Gestation Period
Up to 16 months
Water Type
  • Salt
Habitat
Coastal and deep ocean regions
Predators
Sharks and killer whales
Diet
Carnivore
Average Litter Size
1
Type
Mammal
Common Name
False killer whale

False Killer Whale Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Grey
  • Black
  • White
Skin Type
Skin
Top Speed
18 mph
Lifespan
Around 60 years
Weight
Up to 4,000 pounds
Length
Up to 20 feet

False Killer Whale Images

Click through all of our False Killer Whale images in the gallery.

View all of the False Killer Whale images!

The false killer whale is a fast and agile swimmer, a peak predator, and a highly intelligent and social animal.

The name obviously arises from the similarities between orcas and false killer whales. Until 1862, early taxonomists classified both species within the same genus. Despite the name, this species is sometimes mistaken for the bottle-nosed dolphin or short-finned pilot whale. It is now under threat in certain parts of its range.

5 Incredible False Killer Whale Facts!

  • The false killer whale is a highly social species that forms pods of up to 500 members, some of which can include oceanic dolphins. These pods sometimes break up into smaller groups of around 10 to 30 while hunting.
  • The false killer whale has a diverse range of vocalizations that include whistles, squeals, and a pulsating noise. Although it is not entirely clear what they’re saying, this species has so many different sounds at its disposal that experts have suggested it must be a complex form of communication. It is far more diverse, say, than human sounds.
  • One of the more amazing facts of its intelligence is that the false killer whale will ride in the wake of a ship for extra speed and actually leap out over the wake. Very few other animals make this leaping motion in a ship’s wake.
  • Large numbers of false killer whales will sometimes become accidentally stranded on beaches, possibly while hunting for food. This can make for a very grim spectacle.
  • The false killer whale will sometimes snatch food right out of fishing lines. However, it has also been known to offer food to divers.

False Killer Whale Scientific Name

The scientific name of these animals is Pseudorca crassidens. Pseudorca obviously means pseudo (or false) orca, while crassidens means thick toothed in Latin. The false killer whale is the only currently living member of its genus (although two more species are known from the fossil record). It belongs to the family of Delphinidae, making it closely related to oceanic dolphins and orcas.

Obviously, as a cetacean, this is a type of mammal to its core, because it gives birth to live young and produces milk. The cetaceans actually evolved from hoofed mammals some 50 million years ago. An early cetacean ancestor probably looked like the modern deer-like chevrotain, but the hippos are the closest living relative.

False Killer Whale Appearance

These animals actually looks a bit like a cross between a dolphin (with its rather sleek, ergonomic body) and a killer whale (because of the rounded head with no beak). Nevertheless, you probably wouldn’t mistake them for an orca. The false killer whale has a much smaller dorsal fin and a distinct curved hump on the flippers. And instead of the black and white coloration of the orca, the false killer whale has a black or dark gray coloration with a streak of white along the side. This makes it look more like an oceanic dolphin.

The male of this species measures up to 20 feet long and 3,000 or 4,000 pounds in weight, while the female measures a slightly less formidable 16 feet. This is around the size of a pickup truck.

False killer whales swimming together
False killer whales swimming together

False Killer Whale Distribution, Population, and Habitat

These animals have a truly massive territory that graces every continent except for Antarctica. Due to its preference for temperate and warm tropical waters, this species has a natural range that extends around the coasts of Africa, India, the Pacific Asia region (including Australia and New Zealand), the American Pacific Coast as far as Hawaii, the Caribbean Sea, and the Mediterranean. It has also been found as far north as the North Sea around Britain and Norway, China and Japan, Pacific Canada, and Alaska. They typically dive to around 2,000 feet in search of food, but as a mammal it must come up occasionally for air.

Exact population figures are unknown, but local populations in the low tens of thousands have been observed in certain regions such as China and Japan. Despite its wide range, this species is actually near threatened. The biggest threats to its survival are the depletion of prey, injury or death from net entanglements, and environmental pollution. Even though the United States has banned many harmful chemicals, pollution can still travel the world’s currents from other regions. Since this species occupies the top of the food chain, it is exposed to toxins that accumulate at lower levels.

False Killer Whale Predators and Prey

Like many dolphins, these animals feed almost exclusively on fish, squid, and to a lesser extent marine mammals like seals and sea lions. Some of the most common fish prey include yellowfin tuna, perch, salmon, and yellowtail. The false killer whale will attack prey by catching them in its mouth as it swims around at high speeds. It will then shake the prey to death and peel off the skin with its sharp teeth.

The false killer whale has few natural predators in the wild apart from maybe sharks and other killer whales, but calves are mostly defenseless and much more prone to attack. They rely on the protection of their mother and the entire group. Humans do sometimes hunt false killer whales but not in particularly large numbers or on an industrial scale.

False Killer Whale Reproduction and Lifespan

Like many other cetaceans, the false killer whale has a rather complex reproductive cycle that involves long maturation and development times. The breeding season lasts all year long but seems to peak in later winter or early spring, during which time both males and females will have multiple mating partners. After copulation, the female undertakes a long and difficult pregnancy that lasts up to 16 months. It’s no surprise then that she only produces a single calf at a time and does not conceive again for around seven years.

The young calf emerges from the womb with the ability to swim on its own. However, it will stay with its mother for up to two years while it receives protection, tutelage, nutrients from the milk, and valuable survival skills. It takes around eight to 11 years for females to mature and eight to 10 years for males. This development time sets them up for a long and successful life, usually lasting around 60 years in the wild. Females begin to experience menopause between 44 and 55 years of age.

False Killer Whales in Fishing and Cooking

The false killer whale is rarely hunted for food or other resources with a few notable exceptions. In some Japanese villages, people herd them with boats into a bay or on a beach to prevent their escape. People in the eastern tropical Pacific region may also consume their meat.

View all 26 animals that start with F

False Killer Whale FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are false killer whales dangerous?

The false killer whale is obviously big and powerful enough to harm a person, but very few actual attacks have ever been reported. The facts remain that they aren’t particularly aggressive except in defense of their pods.

Why is it called a false killer whale?

Based on similarities with the skull, the false killer whale was originally assigned to the genus of Orca by the zoologist John Edward Gray in 1846. Even after it was moved to a separate genus, the idea that it was similar to the killer whale seemed to stick.

How big do false killer whales get?

The false killer whale can grow up to 20 feet and 4,000 pounds.

What is the diet of the false killer whale?

The diet of the false killer whale consists almost exclusively of fish, squid, and marine mammals.

How long do false killer whales live?

If it lives long enough to die of natural causes, then the false killer whale can live about 60 years on average.

What Kingdom do False Killer Whales belong to?

False Killer Whales belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum do False Killer Whales belong to?

False Killer Whales belong to the phylum Chordata.

What class do False Killer Whales belong to?

False Killer Whales belong to the class Mammalia.

What family do False Killer Whales belong to?

False Killer Whales belong to the family Delphinidae.

What order do False Killer Whales belong to?

False Killer Whales belong to the order Artiodactyla.

What type of covering do False Killer Whales have?

False Killer Whales are covered in Skin.

What type of habitat do False Killer Whales live in?

False Killer Whales live in coastal and deep ocean regions.

In what type of habitat do False Killer Whales live?

False Killer Whales live in coastal and deep ocean regions.

What are some predators of False Killer Whales?

Predators of False Killer Whales include sharks and killer whales.

What is the average litter size for a False Killer Whale?

The average litter size for a False Killer Whale is 1.

Sources
  1. Animal Diversity Web, Available here: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pseudorca_crassidens/
  2. NOAA Fisheries, Available here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/false-killer-whale
  3. Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Available here: https://us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/false-killer-whale/

Our Newest Animals

Toadfish

Can be heard out of water

Codfish

They eat other fish

Mammals

The smallest mammal is around 1.6 inches long, while the longest is over 100 feet

Most Recently Updated Animals

Toadfish

Can be heard out of water

Havanese

These are the only dogs that are native to Cuba

Robin

There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!

Most recent blog post


Top 10 Smartest Animals on Earth

What are the 10 smartest animals on Earth? We’ve given it some thought and compiled a list. So, without further ado, let the countdown begin! #10 Smartest Animal on Earth: Raccoon Raccoon Reaches For Flower Raccoons may gravitate to the garbage, but they’re also super smart. In the early 20th century, research conducted by ethologist […] Read More

Support A-Z Animals!

Large Animal + Letter Printable Flash Card Bundle!

Large Animal + Letter Printable Flash Card Bundle!

ALPHABET A-Z Animal Flash Cards!

Use these lovely flash cards to help children learn their letters and animals. Great for education at home, Waldorf, or Monessori classrooms. Would also work well for wall art, nursery, baby shower, quiet activity, or an educational gift to kids.

70% off this week!

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sourcing Our Content
  • Privacy & Our Policies

Copyright © 2008 - 2021 A-Z Animals