are orcas whales or dolphins???

Question

are orcas whales or dolphins???

Answer 1

"The Orca or Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) is the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). They are sometimes referred to as blackfish, a group including pilot whales, pygmy and false killer whales, and melon-headed whales. It is the second-most widely distributed mammal on Earth (after humans) and is found in all the world's oceans, from the frigid Arctic regions to warm, tropical seas. It is also a versatile predator, eating fish, sea turtles, seabirds, pinnipeds, elasmobranchs, sirenians and even other cetaceans. This puts the orca at the pinnacle of the marine food chain.

"Orcas are marine mammals with a fearsome reputation that goes as far back as Pliny the Elder's description of the species. The name "killer whale" reflects the animal's habit of attacking whales, and does not mean that orcas are a threat to humans. Aside from a boy who was charged (but not grabbed) while swimming in a bay in Alaska, there have been no confirmed attacks on humans in the wild. There have, however, been isolated reports of captive orcas attacking their handlers at marine theme parks.

"The Orca or Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) is the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). They are sometimes referred to as blackfish, a group including pilot whales, pygmy and false killer whales, and melon-headed whales. It is the second-most widely distributed mammal on Earth (after humans) and is found in all the world's oceans, from the frigid Arctic regions to warm, tropical seas. It is also a versatile predator, eating fish, sea turtles, seabirds, pinnipeds, elasmobranchs, sirenians and even other cetaceans. This puts the orca at the pinnacle of the marine food chain.

"Orcas are marine mammals with a fearsome reputation that goes as far back as Pliny the Elder's description of the species. The name "killer whale" reflects the animal's habit of attacking whales, and does not mean that orcas are a threat to humans. Aside from a boy who was charged (but not grabbed) while swimming in a bay in Alaska, there have been no confirmed attacks on humans in the wild. There have, however, been isolated reports of captive orcas attacking their handlers at marine theme parks."

Answer 2

When you think of Shamu, you should think of a whale. A killer whale. However, orcas (their real name) only have that name because they were watched by sailors many years ago, and were believed to be 'whale killers'. Killer whales do eat differant members of the whale and dolphin family. But, orcas are in fact the largest dolphin member. You are both right, and you are both wrong. The term whale is used very loosely, and the term dolphin is too specific. They are all members of the cetacean family though, so in reality it doesn't matter what you call them. In the end it's just by size. Whales are the biggies, then the dolphins, and lastly the porpoises.

Answer 3

ORCAS are Whales or also called ''Killer Whale'' this marine mammal is the Biggest Dolphin on the family of Delphinidae.

Answer 4

"Killer Whales" or Orcas are the largest member of the Dolphin Family. Their name is dereived from a mistranslation. Spanish sailors on the way to the New World witnessed these animals hunt whales and called them "Whale Killers".

"18th-century Spanish sailors dubbed these creatures asesina-ballenas, or "whale killer" for this reason. However, this title was improperly translated into English as "killer whale". The term became so prevalent that Spanish speakers commonly used its retranslation of ballena asesina" ~~ Wikipedia


There has never been a recorded incident of an Orca attacking a human being, although there have been recorded attacks on Great White Sharks and even baby Blue Whales. There are three different types of Orcas: Transient, Offshore and Resident. .These creatures are extremely intelligent and affectionate.

Answer 5

Orcas (killer whales) are really the largest oceanic dolphin. Though they have been nicknamed killer whales they are false whales, or dolphins. They do eat dolphins but also eat whales, seals, fish, squid and lots of other marine life.
They are a part of Delphinidae (as mentioned earlier) the oceanic dolphin family. Making them the biggest dolphin, they measure around 30 ft. and the male's dorsal fin can measure up to 6 ft. tall! So they are dolphins not whales.

Answer 6

They are Orcas... but they belong to the dolphin family Delphinidae, Oceanic Dolphins. So technically they are dolphins.

Excerpt from Wikipedia... The Orca or Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) is the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). They are sometimes referred to as blackfish, a group including pilot whales, pygmy and false killer whales, and melon-headed whales. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orca

Answer 7

Are Orcas Dolphins

Answer 8

orcas or killer whales are a member of the dolphin family

Answer 9

Orcas or killer whales are actually dolphins

Answer 10

Orcas or killer 'whales' are in fact whales. They have a habit of eating dolphins...