Is a killer whale a dolphin?

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

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

Orcinus orca species guide. Facts and information about the orca or killer whale, an apex predator and the largest member of the dolphin family. read more

Video: Killer Whales Hunting a Dolphin. This video below shows a group of five orcas hunting a dolphin that is exhausted and separated from its pod. It was filmed off the coast of South Africa. Despite their name, orcas (killer whales) actually belong to the dolphin family. read more