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How did killer whales get their name?

Question #149593. Asked by BigTriviaDawg.
Last updated Aug 05 2023.
Originally posted Aug 05 2023 8:21 PM.

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psnz star
Answer has 2 votes
psnz star
5 year member
1008 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.
Of course, the orca or "killer whale" is a dolphin. Both whales and dolphins are closely related, being maritime mammals.
Orcas were given the name 'killer whale' by ancient sailors' observations of groups of orcas hunting and preying on larger whale species. They called orcas ballena asesina, or 'whale killer' - a term that was eventually flipped around to the easier 'killer whale'.
link https://uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/facts-about-orcas/
Response last updated by psnz on Aug 05 2023.
Aug 05 2023, 8:25 PM
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