The rare killer whale type was pinned down with the help of a skeleton resting in a museum

Jun 20, 2013 18:21 GMT  ·  By

Orcas all look the same to us mere mortals, but wildlife researchers say that, when one takes the time to have a close look at them, it becomes obvious that there are different types of killer whales.

Based on anatomical particularities and DNA evidence, specialists suspect that the orca population currently inhabiting our oceans is made up of four different species or subspecies.

Each has a distinct appearance and distinct behavioral patterns, Live Science reports.

Of these four orca species/subspecies, the rarest is one that researchers typically refer to as type D.

DNA collected from the bones of one such whale, whose remains now rest in a museum in Wellington, has confirmed that type D killer whales do in fact sit in a class of their own.

The same source informs us that type D orcas have rather fat heads, and relatively small white patches surrounding their eyes.

It is believed that they emerged as a self-standing type some 390,000 years ago.