Despite their dramatic name, false killer whales aren’t an orca species. These animals are dolphins—members of the same extended family as the iconic “killer whale” ( Orcinus orca ). Compared to their namesake counterparts, these marine mammals are far less well-known than our ocean’s iconic orcas. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at false killer whales—one of the ocean’s most social, yet lesser-known dolphin species. Appearance and anatomy False killer whales ( Pseudorca crassidens ) are among the largest members of the dolphin family (Delphinidae). Adults can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh between 1,500 and 3,000 pounds, though some individuals have been recorded weighing even more. For comparison, that’s roughly double the size of a bottlenose dolphin —and slightly larger than a typical sedan. These animals are incredibly powerful swimmers with long, torpedo-shaped bodies that help them move efficiently through the open ocean in search of prey.…