Translations:AY Honors/Cetaceans/Answer Key/43/en

Family Delphinidae: Oceanic Dolphins

Dolphins, including the river dolphins, comprise 45 species out of the 90 Cetacean species. Six species in the family Delphinidae are commonly called "whales", but genetically are dolphins. They are sometimes called blackfish. These are the Melon-headed whale, (Peponocephala electra) Killer whale/Orca (Orcinus orca). Pygmy killer whale, (Feresa attenuata), False killer whale, (Pseudorca crassidens), Long-finned pilot whale, (Globicephala melas) and the Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)

Orcinus orca

Orca, or killer whale (Orcinus orca)

Where found: The orca is found in all the world's oceans, from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to warm, tropical seas.

Description: The Orca or Killer Whale is the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). Orcas are versatile predators, with some populations feeding mostly on fish and others on other marine mammals, including large whales. Wild orcas are usually not considered a threat to humans.