This Is Why Orcas Are Called Killer Whales
When we think of the ocean’s most formidable creatures..
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we often drift to the colossal blue whale or the menacing great white shark.
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However, the true ruler of the sea is neither of these.
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It’s the killer whale,
a creature that combines specialized hunting skills, a ferocious appetite, and sharp teeth to reign supreme.
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Surprisingly, despite their name, killer whales are not whales at all.
They’re dolphins.
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So, why are orcas called killer whales?
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The name originates from ancient sailors who observed groups of orcas hunting and preying on larger whale species.
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They called orcas ‘assassina bayenas’ or ‘whale killer,’ a term that was eventually flipped to the more straightforward ‘killer whale.’
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Their Latin name, Orcinus orca, also reflects this observation of orcas feeding on large whales.
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