Are killer whales/Orcas dolphins or whales?

Orcas, also known as killer whales, are are the largest member of the dolphin family. Threats to orcas include hunting and captivity. read more

Dolphins and whales are closely related. Orcas were given the name ‘killer whale’ by ancient sailors’ observations of groups of orcas hunting and preying on larger whale species. They called orcas asesina ballenas, or ‘whale killer’ – a term that was eventually flipped around to the easier ‘killer whale’. Their Latin name, Orcinus orca, also reflects this observation of orcas feeding on large whales. read more

The killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca) is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. read more

An orca, or killer whale, is in the family Delphinidae, making it a dolphin by classification. However, all dolphins are in the order Cetacea, making all dolphins to be whales. Dolphins (and thus orcas) a family in the sub-order of toothed whales, which belongs to the order of whales. read more