The Pygmy Killer Whale

Dolphins & Porpoises

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The Pygmy Killer Whale, or Feresa Attenuata is a tropical dolphin from the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. They were not able to find specimen from this species until after 1950. A number of them have been observed and taken captive. It is very aggressive when compared to their size. They are known to snap at anyone who attempts to come within close range. The pygmy killer whale can be from 2.1 to 2.4 meters long. It can weigh about 160 kg which is 350 lbs. They are usually black and gray. It is believed that this animal can extrude its eyes from their sockets very far to be able to look behind itself. Males and females are sexually mature at a length of 2.2 meters. Pygmy killer whales have eight to eleven teeth in each side of the upper jaw and eleven to thirteen teeth in each side of the lower jaw. These animals have been spotted in the eastern tropical Pacific. The pygmy killer whales may form herds up to several hundred individuals. They are quick, often cautious of boats, and tend to bunch together when fleeing the cause of a disturbance. When they are in captivity, they are very aggressive. They are known to attack other small cetaceans in the South Atlantic and tropical Pacific.

Andrea-Vanessa-Erica @ the Advanced Technologies Academy