Meet the False Killer Whale
Neptune's Note VI
Name: Whoever volunteered to name marine animals wasn’t up to the job. At least, that’s the case with the ‘false killer whale’ (very imaginative), who is named so because their skull is a similar shape to an orcas. Imagine if what people considered your defining feature and thus worth naming you after, was just a replica of your more famous distant cousin. It doesn’t even look like a killer whale, false or otherwise!
Family: Delphinidae – meaning oceanic dolphins. The false killer whale is one of many dolphin species with ‘whale’ in their common name, which can become quite confusing. They are a part of the subfamily Globicephalinae which makes their closest living relatives the Risso’s dolphin, the melon-headed whale, the pygmy killer whale (really?) and pilot whales.
Genus: They’re the only living member of their Genus Pseudorca.
Location: False killer whales are found across the oceans but prefer to reside in tropical to subtropical waters. As deep divers they usually live in water over 3,000 feet deep. I’m not sure I’d venture that deep, even for my food.
Population: An estimation of their global population has never been made, but around the Hawaiian islands, where they’re most abundant, there are thought to be around 1,550 individuals. False killer whales are a naturally rare animal, perhaps due to the long period between their births.
Status: According to CITES, the false killer whale is of ‘near threatened’ status. Listed under CITES Appendix II, the wider species is not currently threatened with extinction, but they could be if not closely monitored and protected. However, one of the Hawaiian island sub-populations is deemed endangered, and is currently listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Weight: Females can weigh up to 1,200kg. Males are much heavier at 2,000kg.
Length: Behind orcas and two species of pilot whale, false killer whales are one of the largest dolphins in the world. Females can grow as long as 5 metres, and males 6 metres.
Anatomy: Though there are no subspecies among false killer whales, i.e. a northern or southern differentiation, different populations around the world can vary in size. For example, the Japanese false killer whales can be up to 20% larger than those living near South Africa. However, they still all sport the same slender bodies with an elongated, tapered head but no beak - which defines so many other dolphins. Their black or dark grey skin and sickle-shaped dorsal fin is very similar to that of a pilot whale, with whom they also share the good fortune of a long lifespan. The current record is a female who lived to the ripe old age of 63. Part of the toothed whale variety, the false killer whale can echolocate by using the melon organ in their heads which allows them to navigate and find prey via sound. An oceanic superpower.
Diet: False killer whales are top predators and generally live on a diet of squid and fish. They will often target larger fish such as mahi-mahi and tuna as they need to eat around 4% of their body weight every day. Feeding both day and night they will hunt in dispersed subgroups and reconvene once prey is captured - highlighting their extremely social nature.
Social habits: Sharing prey in this way, is just one example of the strong social bonds between false killer whales. Forming pods of up to 50 members, they are best known for their close association with many other dolphins. They have been observed in the company of the common bottlenose dolphin, the Pacific white-sided dolphin, the rough-toothed dolphin, pilot whales, Risso’s dolphin and several others. False killer whales have been known to protect other species from predators, form mixed-species pods (due to shared feeding grounds), aid in childbirth and sexually interact with bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales, including homosexually. All in all, they’re an especially friendly and gregarious dolphin species – and that’s saying something!
Reproduction: Gestation for false killer whales is between 11 and 15 months with a significant period of around 7 years between individual births for one female. This might explain why they’re naturally rare. Unfortunately, this is exacerbated by the threats they’re currently facing.
Unique facts: The false killer whale has been known to crossbreed with bottlenose dolphins producing a fertile, hybrid offspring known as ‘wholphins’. Finally, a name I can get on board with!
Threats they face: Unfortunately false killer whales face several threats, some common among most marine animals and others quite unique. For one, their sociable character means they have a tendency to mass strand themselves when several in the pod get stuck too close to shore. One such case resulted in 805 false killer whales beaching themselves. They are also still drive-hunted with several other dolphin species in some regions of Japan. If you agree that this is wrong, consider supporting the Dolphin Project, who fight for an end to these senseless killings, and/or the Stop the Grind campaign, who fight for a ban of the Faroe Islands Grindadrap tradition. I wrote here about why these atrocities are still committed and what we can do about it.
However, the biggest threat to false killer whales is their interaction with fisheries. Like many large marine mammal they are prone to entanglement in fishing gear. However, false killer whales are known to pinch fish from a line (because why wouldn’t they, it’s a free lunch!), so this means they are more prone than most to hookings, and line entanglements. This is particularly common in Hawaii where tuna, mahi-mahi, billfish and wahoo (another great name) are commonly fished, as these are false killer whale’s favourite snacks.
Entanglements are one of the biggest killers of cetaceans worldwide, but advancements in technology, such as pingers and ropeless fishing, are being developed to allow sustainable fisheries and marine life to coexist. These can’t be deployed quickly enough.
Environmental contaminants are also a great issue for these cetaceans as their spot near the top of the food chain means they’re exposed to higher levels of toxins within their environment. . These can lead to diseases and reproductive issues as the chemicals and pesticides steadily accumulate in their tissue over the period of their long lives. The Marine Conservation Society’s #StopOceanPoison campaign targets the UK government, asking them to put a ban on forever chemicals. Signing this petition takes us one step closer to cleaner oceans, but until the ban is enforced on a global scale our oceans will continue to be contaminated. There are no ocean borders to stop the spread.
It sounds like a hard life for this sociable bunch and there’s still so much we don’t know about them. However, every danger they face can be avoided, if we choose to help them.
I’m reminded of the below image. Why is it that we can all instantly recognise the brands, but we struggle to name the flora and fauna of this beautiful planet? There are many gaps in our knowledge of many cetacean species and if we don’t act now we may never get that chance to get to know them. Perhaps we could start by giving them each a new unique name?
Here at Beached we are building a community that can put our brains and resources together to highlight and fund solutions to the problems facing the false killer whale and the oceans they live in. I hope you’ll join our humble community and click subscribe for free or support our work by purchasing the paid subscription.
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Amie 🐋