Killer Whale (orca)

[jennyjen02]

Am I right in thinking that the orca isn't actually a whale, it's a dolphin? I'm confused because I saw a site that said it was a member of the dolphin family, but then another said it was a WHALE and also a member of the dolphin family.

Didn't think this was possible!?

[Clanad]

Orcinus orca

CLASS: Mammalia
ORDER: Cetacea
SUBORDER: Odontoceti
FAMILY: Delphinidae
GENUS: Orcinus
SPECIES: orca

The Order Cetacea includes two sub-orders; Mysticeti (baleen whales) and Odontoceti (toothed whales)... meaning Orcas are in the same Class, Order but differing Famiy (there are, currently 5 recognized families within Cetacea) .

"...The terms whale, dolphin, and porpoise need explanation. As here used, the term whale is all-inclusive and may be applied to any cetacean. The term dolphin applies to those small whales that have a distinct snout or beak and numerous conical teeth that are roughly circular in cross-section. The term porpoise applies to those small, blunt-nosed whales that have flat, spade-shaped teeth." (Source: Order Cetacea...)

[dave123123]

your right ,an orca isnt a whale but a member of the dolphin family.its is called a killer whale because it actually kills whales for food.