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Download Brochure The false killer whale and short-finned pilot whale have been observed "taken" (killed) by the central Pacific longline fishery. False killer whales have been known to strand together in large numbers. Ovulation occurs only once per year, with gestation taking 15 months, after which a single calf is born. Calves nurse for about 2 years. The average interbirth interval is 7 years, increasing with age. Females more than 45 years old may be menopausal. Interspecific mating in false killer whales has been described in literature. Hybrids can be fertile. Listen to a False Killer Whale False Killer Whales come under particular threat due to late sexual maturity, long gestation periods and inter-birth rates, and due to birthing only a one calf at a time. |
Though false killer whales share a very similar skull and other traits with true killer whales (uncommon, long-lived, slow to mature, calve once every 6-7 years), they are quite distinct from them. Though both are top predators, false killer's rarely attack mammalian prey. However the biggest difference may be that while Orca are quite popular, most folks have never heard of the tropical false killer whale. In Hawai'i, false killer whales feed primarily on mahi mahi, tuna, ono, mongchong and swordfish. To increase success of finding prey, they travel in a broad band that can be up to several miles wide. There are two populations of Hawaiian False Killer Whales. The "insular" population are found nearer the islands and are the only known genetically isolated population. This popluation has been decimated over the past thirty years - the current population is estimated at only 123 individuals. Participate in a Hawaiian False Killer Whale Expedition An outgoing, large dolphin that exhibits strong social bonds, false killer whales can belong to larger groups of up to 40 individuals. They have often been observed sharing food and supporting injured members of a pod. These intriguing marine mammals have a breeding season that lasts several months. Females become reproductively mature around 10 years of age, but males may not reach maturity until about 18. They can live to 58 years for males and 62 years for females, who go through menopause. False killer whales are bycatch of or have interactions with a number of fisheries. They have been recorded interacting with Hawaii's longline and bottomfish fisheries off the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. These types of interactions often result in injury such as dorsal fin disfigurement or death. Dorsal fin disfigurement may affect reproduction and survival as dorsal fins help control body temperature. Plastic particles containing harmful chemicals such as PCBs and DDEs have been ingested by false killer whales, and can also cause intestinal problems. Reproductive-system damaging fire retardants have been found lurking in false killer whale biopsy samples. False killer whales can be identified by their small conical heads, lacking a beak. Their dorsal fin is tall and their
flippers have a distinctive hump or bulge in the middle of the front edge. False killer whales have dark coloration except for some lighter patches near the throat and middle chest. Their body shape is rather slender. Wild Side's wildlife tours focus on education and conservation so that an
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interactive relationship can be maintained in the best interest of
both humans and dolphins. We strive to foster admiration and deep respect for
these wonder-ful marine mammals.