General Description

Dark grey to black body with paler areas on the chest and head. Rounded head and very short snout. Up to 6.1 m long.

Biology

False Killer Whales are social and live in small to medium pods (typically 10-30 individuals). They will actively swim in the wakes and bow waves of ships. This is the most common cetacean species involved in mass strandings.

Habitat

Tropical and temperate waters.

Open water

Distribution guide

Worldwide. Most Australian waters. Potentially near Port Phillip, recorded from Victoria.

Species Group

Mammals › Whales and dolphins

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

Surface Midwater

Max Size

6.1 m

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

• CITES : Trade restrictions (Appendix II)
• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Data Deficient