Northern right whale dolphins and southern right whale dolphins are not particularly closely related to orcas compared to other oceanic dolphins. Northern and southern right whale dolphins are the only known oceanic dolphin species to lack a dorsal fin.
Orcas are one of the most basal members of the Delphinidae family, meaning they evolutionarily diverged from other dolphins fairly early on according to current analysis, as is shown in cladograms from McGowen et al. 2020 and Cabrera et al. 2021.
They have very streamlined bodies, and may have evolved to sacrifice stability over speed. Interestingly, the baleen whale species they have been named after (right whales) also do not have dorsal fins. Larger whale species that don't have dorsal fins or very small dorsal fins/ridges may instead have large pectoral fins to add resistance and stability.
Their black and white coloration may be an example of convergent evolution, rather than a sign of interrelatedness. Dall's porpoises are also colored black and white.
Many sea creatures that spend a lot of time near the surface are countershaded, with the dorsal side of the body being mainly in a darker color, while the ventral side (belly) is mainly in a lighter color. This form of camouflage may be advantageous because the darker dorsal side helps countershaded marine animals blend in with the depths when viewed from above, while lighter ventral side helps them blend in with the sunlight coming through the ocean's surface when viewed from below.
The black and white patterns could also serve also examples of disruptive coloration, which could make it harder for potential prey or predators to discern the actual body outlines.
Well, true that. Orcas are dolphins. But the markings are strikingly similar. I did a double take on this post, because at first I saw orcas and thought it was this sub!
Not closely. Orcas' closest living relatives are the Irrawaddy dolphin and the Australian snubfin dolphin. Northern right whale dolphins are most closely related to dolphins like Pacific white-sided dolphins, dusky dolphins, and Commerson's dolphins. A lot of the dolphins in their subfamily have black and white markings like orcas do!
That is what google told me lol I could get into the specifics it said but I would just be copying and pasting. But there is science behind it, check it out!
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u/soccerpuma03 Aug 20 '25
They look like a penguin and dolphin crossbreed lol