False Killer Whale: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Life in the Water · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. False killer whales have been seen swimming up to divers and boaters to offer them fish they caught.
2. One false killer whale in Hawaii was recorded diving to 927.5 m. Their longest dives probably last about 18.5 minutes.
3. Some false killer whales have stayed with the same pod for 15 years.
4. Male false killer whales grow up to 6 m long and weigh about 2,200 kg. Females top out at 5 m and 1,200 kg.
5. They are the fourth-largest oceanic dolphin, smaller only than orcas and the two pilot-whale species.

The quiz

1. What have false killer whales been seen offering to divers and boaters?

• Shells
• Fish they caught (correct)
• Seaweed
• Pebbles

They have been seen approaching divers and boaters to offer fish they had caught.

2. About how long can their longest dives last?

• 2 minutes
• 5 minutes
• 60 minutes
• 18.5 minutes (correct)

Their longest dives probably last about 18.5 minutes.

3. How long have some whales stayed with the same pod?

• 15 years (correct)
• 3 years
• 5 years
• 50 years

Some whales have stayed with the same pod for 15 years.

4. How much does a male weigh, about?

• 500 kg
• 1,200 kg
• 2,200 kg (correct)
• 6,000 kg

Males weigh about 2,200 kg.

5. Where does it rank among oceanic dolphins by size?

• Largest
• Fourth-largest (correct)
• Second-largest
• Smallest

It is the fourth-largest oceanic dolphin.

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