False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens )
Family Delphinidae

Description: False killer whales have been estimated to reach a length of six metres in the UAE, females being slightly smaller. Its name comes from the large, conical teeth which resemble quite closely those of the killer whale. Beyond this, however there is little obvious similarity. Although slightly paler underneath, the false killer whale's long, slender body is basically all black. The head is blunt and slightly bulbous and a close inspection may reveal lighter coloured patches around the eye and mouth. The dorsal fin is small for the size of the body, rounded, and curves gently backwards. Small odd-looking flippers, which are sharply curved, as if jointed by an elbow. The false killer whale is very playful, gregarious and inquisitive. The sight of a full grown whale leaping clear of the water, or riding wake and bow waves, matching even fairly powerful boats for speed and acceleration, is quite breathtaking. Snorkelling with these fantastic creatures, that may occur in pods of ten to a hundred or more in the UAE, is also thrilling. Their natural curiosity causes them to approach within touching distance, and their fixed broad smile remains imprinted in one's memory. Listen too, for their high-pitched calls.

Habitat: Generally live in deep water, but will enter shallow waters at times. It takes all the ingenuity of highly organised packs of whales to locate and catch their prey of large fish, such as tuna, one of the ocean's fastest fishes. Sometimes it is easier to follow boats and take the bait off their lines - behaviour which has earned the false killer whale has a poor reputation among fishermen.

Range: Relatively common off the UAE east coast in deep water. They also live in the Arabian Gulf waters of the UAE.

Comment: False killer whales may be mistaken for the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus ), which occurs widely in tropical latitudes and, although it has not been recorded, possibly occurs in deeper water off the UAE