Specy

False killer whale

Mammals

The false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), first described in 1846 from a skull and named for its resemblance to the orca's cranium, is the only living species in the genus Pseudorca and a large member of the oceanic dolphin family Delphinidae. It is found worldwide in mostly tropical waters, generally not ranging beyond about 50 degrees north or south, and typically occupies open ocean and deep water though it can approach oceanic islands. Females usually reach 4.5 to 5 meters while males grow to about 6 meters and up to 2,200 kilograms, with black or dark gray coloring that lightens slightly underneath, an elongated tapered head with no beak, a sickle shaped dorsal fin and short, bulging flippers. It feeds on squid and fish of many sizes, including large species such as mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna, and occasionally preys on other dolphins and whales.

Facts
Scientific Name
Pseudorca crassidens 2
Conservation Status
Near Threatened 1
Body Size Band
Giant 5
Activity Pattern
Diurnal 5
Activity Pattern
Nocturnal 5
Activity Pattern
Crepuscular 5
Lifespan
62.5 6
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Marine 1
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
G4 Apparently Secure 3
CITES Appendix
Appendix II 4
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Delphinidae, Taxa
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Pseudorca crassidens (Animal Diversity Web)
Pseudorca, Taxa
Source False killer whale (Wikidata)

In Biome

Marine, Biomes
Source False killer whale (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. False killer whale (Wikipedia)
  • System/realm (stated plainly in the entity own recorded description)
    It is found worldwide in mostly tropical waters, generally not ranging beyond about 50 degrees north or south, and typically occupies open ocean and deep water though it can approach oceanic islands.
  • Lead section
    It is drive hunted in some Japanese villages.
  • Infobox: status2
    CITES_A2
  • Ecology section
    Generally, the false killer whale targets a wide array of squid and fish of various sizes during daylight hours. They typically target large species of fish, such as mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna. They are also known to prey on marine mammals, such as some species of dolphins and whales.
  • Infobox: status
    NT
  • In Biome: Marine, Population and distribution
    It usually inhabits open ocean and deep-water areas, though it may frequent coastal areas near oceanic islands.
View the Source
2. False killer whale (Wikidata)
Wikidata
  • Wikidata Q208132 (P225 taxon name)
  • Statements section, conservation status (P141)
    IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): near threatened.
  • Child Taxon Of: Pseudorca, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q16671511 (Pseudorca)
View the Source
3. NatureServe Explorer: Pseudorca crassidens
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G4"
View the Source
4. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Pseudorca crassidens (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES Appendix II
  • Child Taxon Of: Delphinidae, Classification, family
    Delphinidae dolphins, killer whales, pilot whales, and relatives
View the Source
5. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)
  • Row: pseudorca crassidens
    5370 Pseudorca crassidens Delphinidae 60 10 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_1 ABC M A 1 1 1 Ref_3 D2 1360000 Ref_117 1
  • MamFuncDat.txt row Pseudorca crassidens, Activity columns
    Pseudorca crassidens Delphinidae 60 10 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_1 ABC M A 1 1 1
View the Source
6. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Pseudorca crassidens
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Quote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 62.5 years (captivity)
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.

Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme