where does the term killer whale come from
The genus name "Orcinus" means "of the kingdom of the dead", or "belonging to Orcus".
Killer whale
The genus name "Orcinus" means "of the kingdom of the dead", or "belonging to Orcus".
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Killer whale [SEP] Common names
Although the term "orca" is increasingly used, English-speaking scientists most often use the traditional name "killer whale". The genus name "Orcinus" means "of the kingdom of the dead", or "belonging to Orcus". Ancient Romans originally used "orca" (pl. "orcae") for these animals, possibly borrowing Ancient Greek ("óryx"), which referred (among other things) to a whale species. Since the 1960s, "orca" has steadily grown in common use. As part of the family Delphinidae, the species is more closely related to other oceanic dolphins than to other whales. They are sometimes referred to as "blackfish", a name also used for other whale species.