Orcas are in the dolphin family which is a branch of the whale family, specifically those with teeth rather than baleen. Compare how humans are in the ape family which is a branch of the primate family, specifically those that are less arboreal and lack tails. If we can say humans are primates, we can definitely say that orcas are whales.
“Orca whale” is a misnomer. Same with Killer whale. They are not whales. The nickname is a mistranslation of whale killer because Orcas kill whales.
Orcas are in the dolphin family which is a branch of the whale family, specifically those with teeth rather than baleen. Compare how humans are in the ape family which is a branch of the primate family, specifically those that are less arboreal and lack tails. If we can say humans are primates, we can definitely say that orcas are whales.
Aren’t they porpoises? I mean, I think they’re related to dolphins.
Google says they’re neither, so I’ve edited the above fyi. Thanks!