why are orcas called killer whales?

Answer 1

Because they are quite vicious predators in the ocean. They don't just kill everything they see, and they're not known to kill humans, but they are definitely at the top of their food chain. The Sea World info on them says, "they are the largest predator of warm-blooded animals ever known. Fishes, squids, seals, sea lions, walruses, birds, sea turtles, otters, penguins, cetaceans (both mysticete and odontocete) [[this means dolphins and other whales]], polar bears, reptiles, and even a moose -- they have all been found in the stomach contents of killer whales." Have you ever seen a video of an orca killing a seal? If you have, you'll understand why someone would call them a killer whale. In one video I've seen, it was almost like a cat playing with its prey. If not, the link below has a video.

Answer 2

You certainly have a point there. Orcas are indeed dolphins, not whales. However, being the largest of all dolphin species, orcas rule the oceans of the world. They are some of the most successful hunters alive, possessing the ability of killing even larger whales. Therefore, they were called whale killers, since they could kill whales. The name was rather descriptive and accurate, however, as time went by, people mistakenly changed the word order, thus the name whale killer became 'killer whale'. By the way, it is not the only animal inappropriately named. Many species have different names from what they are, which don't really reflect their true identity.

Answer 3

I think the first time they was dubbed killer whale was in cali around the 50's? A beach full of people watched a pod of orca kill and eat a large whale in the water, this rarely witnessed aggressive behaviour had them dubbed killer whale.

I could be mistaken though.

plus if you've seen them charge a beach to get a young seal.. heh you'd say that its a killer too.

Answer 4

I think Orca is the Latin name for them. Killer whales cuz they eat whales sometimes I think.

Answer 5

I think it is the Latin name for killer whale, but I am not sure. They are also referred to wolves of the sea due to the way they hunt in packs with their pods. I got to see some in Vancouver, what a treat!!!

Answer 6

because out in the wild orcas will eat any animal in the water except one the same size

Answer 7

They hunt in pods, or packs similar to wolves, and are extremely efficient killers, thus ensuring their survival.

Answer 8

Have you NOT seen them eating innocent, unsuspecting seals in the shore?

Answer 9

because they look like whales and they kill seals and the like, they don't eat plankton

Answer 10

because they hunt and kill everything in the water. they eat fish, seals, and whatever they can catch. they are at the top of their food chain.