False killer whales are among the smallest cetacean species in the world, but are also among one of the most spectacular and diverse. Offering a variety of surface and underwater sights, these whales are also known for their incredible mating abilities. Mating with one another can result in enormous numbers, sometimes nearing hundreds of thousands of killer whales. It takes just one successful mated attempt for a female to lay thousands of eggs.
Perhaps the first question that comes to mind when one hears about the false killer whales is what do these animals eat? True to their name, these creatures primarily eat fish, though they will occasionally take small snails and squid. Although smaller than their fellow cetaceans, a single male specimen has been known to take jellyfish. They also seem to have a particular fondness for anchovies, which account for their considerable presence in the coastal waters of Mexico, Belize and Peru.
The food chain in the Pacific Ocean is complex, with many different types of marine animals feeding at different levels of the food chain. A relatively recently discovered species, the Hawaiian Islands’ blue whale, for example, forms a significant portion of the Humpback and Bonita populations along Hawaii’s west coast. Forming massive multi-baby groups, these whales feed along the edge of rocky shelving as well as along the shores. This suggests a diet consisting of prey that enters the water through their snouts, but is restricted in size and composition to eating fish.
Another common species in the Hawaiian Archipelago, the false killer whales are known for their large numbers, their strong mating abilities and their predatory habits. Offering a variety of catches for divers and marine scientists alike, they have even earned a name for themselves: the “Polar Bear.” Mating twice annually, these creatures are capable of producing up to four litters in a year. In this regard, their reproductive cycle is akin to that of the Brown Bear.
Along the Hawaiian Islands, the False Killer Whales have pushed aside the smaller Hawaiian Sea Whales. As a result, they now occupy a nearly equal role as the main Hawaiian Islands’ marine life as the larger species. This trend has created an unusual division along the Islands. In Maui, where there are only three distinct species, humpback and blue whales form the most important marine prey species. In the other areas, more diverse pelagic prey species, including rock cod and Spanish mackerel, predominate.
Because of their dietary preferences, this species has evolved in a way that allows them to feed exclusively on one type of food. Compared to other species, the True False Killer Whales are the only ones who feed exclusively on fish and squid. In their natural habitat, they can be found feasting on either fish, crustaceans, or small squid. In the warmer waters off Hawaii, the False Killer whale has been observed feasting exclusively on Kingfish, a large fish native to the colder Pacific waters. Although no study has been conducted to determine what exactly the False Killer Whales eat, the hypothesis is well accepted by scientists who believe the species to feed on the flesh of animals that fall within their range.
