Im in a debate... My sister says that Orcas aka Killer whales are a part of the dolphin family.. I am saying that they are part of the whale family/species... Please tell me Im right lol.. seriously, who is right in this debate... ????
2007-05-30 07:43:30 · 5 answers · asked by alohaforever16 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
The Orca, or "killer whale," is in fact a dolphin, as a member of the Delphinidae family. However, this family is part of the suborder Odontoceti, which are called the "toothed whales." So it looks like all dolphins could be said to be whales, although usually they are not. It's worth noting that the hunting of Orcas is referred to as "whaling," and in fact Orcas do fall under the jurisdiction of the International Whaling Commission due to their size. It looks to me like you and your sister are both correct.
2007-05-30 07:45:32 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Orcas are part of the family Delphinidae, they are the largest member of that family; they are therefore dolphins.
The terminology is a bit confusing, cetaceans are divided into two main groups, odontocetes (toothed whales) and mysticetes (the great whales or baleen whales).
The suborder odontoceti is made up of six families, Delphinidae (dolphins including orcas), Monodontidae (belugas and narwhals),Phocoenidae (porpoises), family Physteridae (sperm whale), Kogidae (dwarf sperm whales), Ziphidae (beaked whales), superfamily Platanistoidea (river dolphins).
Generally you could say, just based on the terminology, all cetaceans are whales, therefore orcas are too, however they are part of the dolphin family and are hence dolphins, just as bottlenose dolphins or spinner dolphins or
It should be noted orcas are occasionally put into a more or less informal group with pilot whales, melon headed whales, pygmy and false killer whales (all also part of the dolphin family) called blackfish due to the similar morphology that sets them apart from the other species that look more 'dolphin-like'.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Orcinus_orca.html
2007-05-30 15:14:27 · answer #2 · answered by Cetacea 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are dolphins, in fact they are the largest species of dolphin.
2007-05-30 16:55:01 · answer #3 · answered by aquaorca328 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are both right but your sister is a little closer to the truth. See the source.
2007-05-30 14:49:18 · answer #4 · answered by diogenese_97 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your sister is right, I am sorry !
2007-05-30 16:19:12 · answer #5 · answered by Ljiljana A 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋