2007-06-30 05:39:22 · 14 answers · asked by kylas_nana 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Depends on the meaning of the word.
Sometimes Cetaceans (the mammalian order that includes orcas) are collectively known as "whales", and the terms "toothed whales" and "baleen whales" are used to identify the two major cetacean groups.
By this definition, orcas are whales like all cetaceans.
However, others restrict the word "whale" to the baleen whales only, and dessignate the toothed cetaceans as "dolphins", "porpoises" and the like.
Orcas have teeth, and are more closely related to dolphins than to baleen whales.
Accordingly, by this second definition, orcas are dolphins.
That's why biologists use scientific names and avoid the confusion of vernacular words :-)
2007-06-30 05:47:47 · answer #1 · answered by Calimecita 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Orcas and dolphins both belong to the ORDER of "Cetacea" (The word "Cetacean" comes from the latin word "cetus" for whale). Therefore, orcas and dolphins are BOTH whales.
This is a level within the biological classification system that represents a subgrouping of animal types that are mammals. They both further belong to the sub-order of "Odontoceti" which means that they are toothed whales.
"Dolphins" are a subgrouping of the order Cetacea represented by the family "Delphinidae". Orcas are, in fact, the largest member of this family, too! The Delphinidae are classified as such because of having the common characteristic of a pronounced "beak" (or "rostrum") with sharp conical teeth in it. Closely related to this are porpoises which do not have this beak. Porpoises belong to the family of "Phocoenidae".
The bottom line is that orcas and dolphins are BOTH Cetaceans and are BOTH Delphinidae, therefore they are both "whales" and "dolphins".
I hope that answers your question!
2007-06-30 06:00:20 · answer #2 · answered by bellydoc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are related to the dolphin and are a dolphin by definition. But are considered to be a whale in general population as they used to be called a killer whale.
2007-06-30 05:45:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The orca is another name for the killer whale which is one of the 35 species of the dolphin family. But some of them have complicated taxonomies.
2007-06-30 05:44:06 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It looks very much like a dolphin but it is a whale..It's also called Killer Whale. It has a length of about 20 feet and it's weight is about 5 to 7 tons.
2007-06-30 05:47:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Whale. Killer Whale.
2007-06-30 06:43:46 · answer #6 · answered by A Military Veteran 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Orcas are actually dolphins and are considered the largest of their kind.
2007-06-30 05:49:33 · answer #7 · answered by Meg S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Although they are called a whale, they are indeed of the dolphin family.
2007-06-30 05:46:44 · answer #8 · answered by snakekeeper27 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Orcas and dolphins are BOTH whales.
2007-06-30 05:46:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Whale, Killer whale to be exact
2007-06-30 09:27:26 · answer #10 · answered by Sarah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋