![]() ![]() This meaning of "grampus" should not be confused with the genus Grampus, whose only member is Risso's dolphin. "Grampus" is a former name for the species, but is now seldom used. They are sometimes referred to as "blackfish", a name also used for other whale species. As part of the family Delphinidae, the species is more closely related to other oceanic dolphins than to other whales. This word referred (among other things) to a whale species, perhaps a narwhal. orcae) for these animals, possibly borrowing Ancient Greek ὄρυξ ( óryx). The genus name Orcinus means "of the kingdom of the dead", or "belonging to Orcus". Since the 1960s, the use of "orca" instead of "killer whale" has steadily grown in common use. Orcas are commonly referred to as "killer whales", despite being a type of dolphin. Orcas feature strongly in the mythologies of indigenous cultures, and their reputation in different cultures ranges from being the souls of humans to merciless killers. There have been cases of captive orcas killing or injuring their handlers at marine theme parks. Orcas are not usually a threat to humans, and no fatal attack has ever been documented in their natural habitat. In late 2005, the southern resident orcas, which swim in British Columbia and Washington waters, were placed on the U.S. Some local populations are considered threatened or endangered due to prey depletion, habitat loss, pollution (by PCBs), capture for marine mammal parks, and conflicts with human fisheries. ![]() The International Union for Conservation of Nature assesses the orca's conservation status as data deficient because of the likelihood that two or more orca types are separate species. Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviors, which are often specific to a particular group and passed across generations, have been described as manifestations of animal culture. They are highly social some populations are composed of highly stable matrilineal family groups (pods). This includes a variety of fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals such as seals, other species of dolphin, and whales. Individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Orcas are apex predators and have a diverse diet. A cosmopolitan species, orcas can be found in all of the world's oceans in a variety of marine environments, from Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas. It is the only extant species in the genus Orcinus and is recognizable by its black-and-white patterned body. The orca ( Orcinus orca), also called killer whale, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member.
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