The pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) is a poorly known and rarely seen oceanic dolphin, the only species in its genus, named for a resemblance to the orca despite being the smallest cetacean species to carry the word whale in its common name. Adults average just over 2 meters in length, with males maturing at about that size, and are dark gray to black on the back with a sharp break to lighter gray on the sides, white around the lips and snout, pinkish white skin near the genital area, rounded dorsal fins and roughly 48 teeth split between the jaws. It is found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, generally in deep water 500 to 2,000 meters, with regular sightings off Hawaii and Japan and records from the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleNo Significant Interaction with Humans 3 Living or Extinct Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Feresa
In Biome
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Feresa attenuata
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.
Sources
1. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
2. GBIF Species API
3. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Feresa attenuata
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITES
CITES Appendix II
Economic Importance for Humans
There are no known positive impacts of pygmy killer whales on humans.
In Biome: Open Ocean, Habitat Regions, biome: pelagic
pelagic pelagic
View the Source 4. Wikidata: Feresa
WikidataStatements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
- Wikidata Q244172 (P225 taxon name)
- Child Taxon Of: Delphinidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source 5. NatureServe Explorer: Feresa attenuata
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G4"
View the Source 6. Wikipedia: Pygmy killer whale
Pygmy killer whale (Wikipedia)
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