The False Killer Whale

Whales of the World

---

---

The False Killer Whale, or Phocaena crassidens, is a relatively abundant species of whale. The males measure on average 18 feet and females around 15 feet. The male false killer whale can weigh a maximum of 4,840 pounds, and the female's maximum is approximately 2,420 pounds. The bottom jaw is shorter than that of the top jaw. Each half-jaw sports eleven teeth. Mating and birthing occur year round. Both sexes reaches sexual maturity between the ages of eight and fourteen. The gestation period is about fifteen months. Although their name implies differently, they are actually playful animals, very similar to dolphins in manner and temper. The false killer whale likes to eat dolphins, squid, cod or herring. They are considered to be fast, active swimmers. They usually have a deep gray or black body color. Their teeth cover the length of their entire jaw bone. The False Killer Whale is usually found in the Northern hemisphere. Since they do not react negatively during captivity, they are often captured for exibits and parks as many dolphins are. Their friendliness also makes them easy pray for hunters. The can be found in the northern hemisphere mainly in deep, offshore waters and sometimes in deep coastal waters. Sometimes found in semienclosed seas such as the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. Their range is mainly from Norway to Alaska. Their population size is unknown however they are known to be threatened by whaling/hunting and entanglement in fishing nets.

Andrea Vanessa & Erica @ the Advanced Technologies Academy