Pygmy Killer Whale Pictures
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Pygmy Killer Whale Pictures - Stock Photo Gallery
The Pygmy Killer Whale, Feresa attenuata, is a small, rarely-seen cetacean of the oceanic dolphin family Delphinidae. It derives its common name from the fact that it shares some physical characteristics with the orca or "killer whale" and it is the smallest species referred to as a "whale" in it's common name. In fact, "killer" may be a more apt name in the case of the Pygmy Killer Whale than its larger genetic cousin.
When a number of Pygmy Killer...
more »The Pygmy Killer Whale, Feresa attenuata, is a small, rarely-seen cetacean of the oceanic dolphin family Delphinidae. It derives its common name from the fact that it shares some physical characteristics with the orca or "killer whale" and it is the smallest species referred to as a "whale" in it's common name. In fact, "killer" may be a more apt name in the case of the Pygmy Killer Whale than its larger genetic cousin.
When a number of Pygmy Killer Whales were brought into captivity in Hawaii and South Africa they were extremely aggressive--even killing one another.
Despite its name and features, the pygmy killer whale is not closely related to the orca.
The scientific species descriptor attenuata is Latin for 'tapering' and refers to the gradual narrowing from the head to the tail fin of the dolphin.
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