Why do some people say they are scared of killer whales but not dolphins?

Question

Another name for the killer whale is the orca. Orcas are a type of dolphin although they may be as big as whales. is it only the word 'killer' as part of the name?

Answer 1

definitely the Killer part and the fact that they are like the size of a very large boat.

Answer 2

orcas are not a type of dolphin....they are kin to the dolphin, there is a difference. and dolphins are not killers.....they eat smaller fish and plankton. orcas, or "killer whales" are killers due to the fact that they hunt, and kill their prey, such as sea lions, seals, penguins, etc.

Answer 3

Maybe its the fact that the killer whale just has to move its jaw maybe three inches to crush a full size human in two........but what do I know that might tickle.

Answer 4

A dolphin won't eat me, an orca might.

Answer 5

So they may be. but you don't see too many dolphins beaching themselves in order to kill and eat seals.

Dolphins have a diet of fish which we dont usually consider to be a problem, but to see an animal making a direct attack on a land bound creature some people find offensive.

Answer 6

No one is scared of killer whales. They are scared of sharks.

Answer 7

Becuase they eat meat and other dolphins and have attacked humans

Answer 8

i think its just a mental thing... they see the huge killer whale with those freakin scary teeth and then the dolphin which is generally smaller and often trained and played with at seaworld... i dunno, theyre all whales.

Answer 9

Because they are carnivorous. Also the obvious answer is the name implies fear.