They have also been held in captivity at marine parks to perform shows for the public. With that said people should be cautious and not approach these dolphins in the wild. These dolphins are also relatively playful and will approach boats and people in curiosity. Observations have shown that these marine mammals are active swimmers and can be seen performing flips and leaps out of the water during certain social events. Most data regarding this species worldwide distribution and habitat have been accumulated from stranded dolphins found in and around the coastlines. These dolphins prefer to live in warm temperate or tropical waters and can be seen throughout the worlds tropical oceans.ĭespite being a widely distributed species little is known about the false killer whales distribution and migration patterns as compared to other species of dolphin. Most hunting takes place during the day and these marine mammals may consume up to 5% of their body weight in food on a daily basis. When searching for food echolocation may be used to help them locate prey and navigate in dark areas. They have also been noted for consuming larger forms of prey than other dolphin species. Within their own species false killer whales have been noted for their sharing behavior in which they may freely share food within their own pods. While they have been observed attacking other marine mammals it isn’t known if they ever consume these animals, however a small handful of observations have led some researchers to believe that there is a possibility of occasional attacks leading to the consumption of other marine mammals.Īttacking other marine mammals such as smaller dolphins may be the result of competing for resources such as food. The typical diet of false killer whales includes fish, squid, and cephalopods although they are known to attack marine mammals as well. The dorsal fin is tall and helps the large dolphin stabilize itself as it swims. The fins are tapered back to assist with streamlining and their powerful flukes help propel them through the water. Their bodies are streamlined in design and hydrodynamic to allow for fast movement in the water. When it comes to color the false killer whales has dark grey to black skin and the neck and throat area are lighter grey. long when fully matured.įemales may grow a little shorter (1 – 3 ft.) when fully grown and weigh around 2,400 – 2,600 pounds. The average size of a false killer whale is around 15 – 17 ft. is at the larger end of the scale and false killer whales do not usually grow to be that size or weight. shorter than their male counterparts and weigh up to 2,700 pounds. long and weigh around 5,000 pounds at full maturity while females will typically grow to be 2 – 4 ft. In fact the male false killer whale can grow 19 ft. This cetacean is the third largest dolphin in existence. While the false killer whale shares certain characteristics with the orca ( killer whale) including its appearance and the fact that it also attacks and kills marine mammals, it is not considered a killer whale or even closely related to the killer whale. This was the largest stranding of false killer whales in recorded Florida history.The false killer whale is a large dolphin that can be found traveling in tropical waters. On January 14, 2017, 95 false killer whales beached themselves on a remote mangrove beach in mainland Monroe County, Florida, in the western Everglades National Park 82 either died or had to be euthanized. He based this work on a fossil discovered in 1843.ĥ. The false killer whale was first described by the British paleontologist and biologist Richard Owen in his 1846 book A History of British Fossil Mammals and Birds. Their most common habitat is the open ocean, though they also frequent other areas.Ĥ. Females can reach 17 feet and weigh 2,600 pounds, while the largest males can reach 20 feet and weigh 4,900 pounds.ģ. I t has a slender body with an elongated, tapered head and 44 teeth.Ģ. The false killer whale is black with a gray throat and neck. The world’s fourth-largest dolphin is a different species than the better-known killer whale, but false killer whales ( Pseudorca crassidens) also attack and kill other marine mammals.
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