Which family do false killer whales belong to?
Answer
Delphinidae
Despite the common name suggesting a closer relationship to true killer whales, the false killer whale is classified as the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family, known scientifically as Delphinidae. This classification places them lineage-wise closer to faster, more conventionally dolphin-like species rather than separating them into a distinct whale grouping as the name might imply. Understanding this placement is crucial for contextualizing their general evolutionary background and tendencies within marine mammals.
Related Questions
What feature causes the common name "false killer whale"?Which family do false killer whales belong to?What feature is explicitly absent on the false killer whale's head compared to many smaller dolphins?What is characteristic of false killer whale social aggregation?What is the ecological status of the false killer whale?Besides fish and squid, what else is included in the false killer whale diet?What does systematic documentation show regarding FKW friendly behavior toward people?To which genus does the false killer whale specifically belong?Why should close encounters with false killer whales inherently warrant caution?How does the FKW's behavior contrast with the expectation set by its physical appearance?