False Killer Whaleオキゴンドウ

Pseudorca crassidensNT— Near Threatened

The false killer whale is a large, highly social member of the dolphin family, found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Despite its name, it is more closely related to pilot whales than to the orca, and it hunts cooperatively for fish, squid, and even other marine mammals during the day. Known for its longevity — some captive individuals have lived past 60 years — the species is also notable for occasionally hybridizing with bottlenose dolphins. The IUCN classifies it as Near Threatened, citing bycatch and small, fragmented populations in parts of its range.

False Killer Whale (reference photo)
Photo: NOAA / SWFSC Protected Resources Division / Public domain / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Cetartiodactyla / Delphinidae Source
Size
Body length: females about 4.5–5 m, males up to about 6 m
Weight
Females about 1,200 kg, males about 2,200 kg
Lifespan
The longest records in captivity are 57 years for a male and 62 years for a female. A female named "Jumbo" kept at Shimoda Aquarium in Japan lived there for 36 years 0 months, from 1970 to 2006, then the world's longest captive record
Diet
Carnivore Carnivorous, hunting squid and fish of various sizes by day, and sometimes attacking other marine mammals such as dolphins; also known for causing fishery damage by stripping the flesh and organs from tuna caught on longlines
Activity
Mainly a diurnal hunter; dives as deep as 927.5 m and reaches top speeds of about 30 km/h
Distribution
The false killer whale is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans, generally between 50°N and 50°S latitude. Source
Sources
ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

  • In 1946, more than 800 false killer whales stranded at Mar del Plata, Argentina — the largest recorded stranding event for the species. Source
  • False killer whales can hybridize with bottlenose dolphins to produce fertile offspring known as 'wholphins.' Source
  • A female named Jumbo, kept at Shimoda Floating Aquarium in Japan from December 1970 to December 2006, lived 36 years in captivity, setting a world longevity record at the time. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 4

Adventure WorldWakayamaOpened in 1978

Source

Okinawa Churaumi AquariumOkinawaOpened in 2002

Source

Shimoda AquariumShizuokaOpened in 1967

Source

Katsurahama AquariumKochiOpened in 1931

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Near Threatened (NT)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Why is it called a 'false' killer whale?
It was named for its skull's superficial resemblance to that of the orca (killer whale), though the false killer whale is actually more closely related to pilot whales and belongs to a different genus. Source
How long do false killer whales live?
They are long-lived; captive records show males reaching 57 years and females 62 years. A female named Jumbo at Japan's Shimoda Floating Aquarium lived in captivity for 36 years, from 1970 to 2006. Source
Can false killer whales interbreed with other dolphins?
Yes, they can hybridize with bottlenose dolphins, producing fertile hybrid offspring known as 'wholphins.' Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 4 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org