They're whales. And also dolphins.

Dolphins = subcatetegory of whales

In either cases, they're not black fishes either.

They are non-white marine mammals.

You could say "white-deprived".

Or "White-impaired".

Or just "ruckused".

While not black fishes, "blackfish" is a less common name, but still one that's been attached to them for a long time.

Also, I think I read that the name "killer whale" is a mis-translation from the Spanish which was "whale killer."

(Apologies to Peter Serafinowicz)

There are far fewer Orca "attacks" in the wild than in domestic environments, and none of those involving wild Orcas have been fatal:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killer_whale_attacks_on_humans

well, yeah, there generally tend to be less humans with shorter periods of exposure to orca whales in the wild than at Seaworld. I don't need 90 minutes of music swells and fish psychiatrists to explain that to me.

i'm all for shutting down Seaworld because of environmental costs, but let's stop pretending like orca whales aren't the utter bastards of the sea. after all, we never had to teach them the trick at 1:32: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/881976/killer_whale_owning_a_seal/

"Utter bastards of the sea?" For eating seals? Really?

They're carnivores, and clever ones. How are they any more or less bastards than sharks, tigers, hawks, etc.? Are wolves "bastards" because they've learned how to hunt in packs?

Orcas kill recreationally, and torture smaller, weaker animals (seals, penguins, some sharks) for their own amusement before ultimately killing them with zero intention to eat what they've just been beating up for the last hour.

But then, so do people.

Did you see that killer whale eating the seal? Because what I saw was the whale killing the seal, then launching its carcass 65 feet into the air -- for reasons I'm assuming you would explain away as a "clever hunting strategy."

complexity breeds cruelty. if you want to keep these creatures alive because you find common ground with them, just be honest about it like memedumpster, and realize that the common ground you speak of is the ability to take pleasure in merely harming another living thing.

...Was that directed at me? Because if it was, I thought it was pretty clear I was making a joke.

nope, SPK. I actually kind of regret posting that because I think we replied near the exact same time and your answer said most everything I wanted to say in a less Moving-Day-catty manner.

Amen brother.