What kind of dolphin is the false killer whale?

The false killer whale is a species of oceanic dolphin belonging to the family Delphinidae and the genus Pseudorca.

As their name suggests, they are often found offshore, which is how they got their name in Japanese, 'okigondo' (沖合鯨). In English, they are called 'false killer whales' because they resemble orcas in appearance. 'False' means 'not real,' and while they are not orcas, they have a similar black, large body, hence the name. They are a highly social species, often forming large pods, sometimes exceeding 100 individuals! They are known to eat fish and squid. They are also highly intelligent and are known to exhibit complex communication.

What do false killer whales eat?

False killer whales are carnivores and mainly feed on fish and squid.

They use their sharp teeth to catch their prey. They sometimes hunt alone, but often hunt cooperatively in groups, herding and encircling their prey. They also use echolocation to find their prey, emitting sound waves to understand their surroundings and pinpoint the location of their prey. They are known to attack dolphins and whales larger than themselves. They have also been known to engage in cannibalism.

[Quiz!] Why do false killer whales mass strand?

Stranding is when whales or dolphins swim into shallow water and become unable to return to the sea on their own. When this happens to multiple individuals at the same time, it is called a 'mass stranding.'

False killer whales are known to mass strand. While the reason for these mass strandings is not yet fully understood, there are a few theories:

・Malfunction of echolocation: False killer whales use echolocation to navigate, but in shallow water, the sound waves don't reflect properly, which can cause them to accidentally swim into shallows.

・Following the leader: False killer whales have a tendency to follow their leader when traveling in a pod. If the leader mistakenly swims into shallow water, the rest of the pod may follow, leading to a mass stranding.

・Illness or injury: Individuals that are sick or injured may become disoriented and stray into shallow water, leading to a stranding.

・Geomagnetic anomalies: They may lose their sense of direction in areas where the Earth's magnetic field is disrupted, causing them to strand.

・Panic: Loud noises from ships or earthquakes can cause them to panic and flee into shallow water, resulting in a stranding.

Mass stranding is a serious issue for dolphins and whales, as it can be fatal. Stranded dolphins and whales require immediate rescue. Returning them to the sea requires a large number of people and heavy machinery. Stranded dolphins and whales are often weak and require treatment by veterinarians. We need to think about what we can do to prevent mass strandings of dolphins and whales.

[Quiz!] Are false killer whales endangered?

The false killer whale is listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.

This means that they are not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, their numbers may be declining due to marine pollution, bycatch from fisheries, and collisions with ships. To protect false killer whales, we need to protect the marine environment and learn more about them.