The false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) is a species of oceanic dolphin that is the only extant representative of the genus Pseudorca. It is found in oceans worldwide but mainly in tropical regions. It was first described in 1846 as a species of porpoise based on a skull, which was revised when the first carcasses were observed in 1861.

False killer whales (FKWs), or Pseudorca crassidens, are large-toothed whales that live in tropical and subtropical oceans. Given their name, you’d think they would resemble a killer whale. However, they do not resemble killer whales at all. FKWs are smaller and slimmer than killer whales and do not have white patches on their bodies.

The scientific name of these animals is Pseudorca crassidens. Pseudorca obviously means pseudo (or false) orca, while crassidens means thick-toothed in Latin. The false killer whale is the only currently living member of its genus (although the fossil record shows there were two additional known species).

The False Killer Whale, Pseudorca crassidens is a large, slender, dark dolphin with a small, rounded conical head. Identification Key identifying features of the False Killer Whale include a slender sickle-shaped dorsal fin and a prominent bump or bulge on the leading edge of each flipper.