dolphin

Answer: The Killer Whale (Orca) Despite its name, the killer whale, or orca, is actually a member of the dolphin family. That’s right—this powerful and iconic marine predator isn’t a whale at all! Orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family, Delphinidae, which also includes familiar species like the bottlenose dolphin. Why Is It Called a Killer Whale? The name “killer whale” can be traced back to ancient sailors who observed orcas hunting large whales and dubbed them “whale