Wholphin

A wholphin (portmanteau of whale and dolphin) is an informal term used to refer to a number of rare cetacean hybrids. Wholphins have been born in captivity and have also been reported in the wild. The most well-observed wholphins are captive-born hybrids of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) and common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), although other kinds of toothed whale hybrids have also been referred to by the term "wholphin". Both false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins have 44 chromosomes, allowing them to produce fertile offspring. Wholphins exhibit physical and behavioural characteristics intermediate between those of their parent species. While the name implies a hybrid of whale and dolphin, taxonomically both parents belong to the oceanic dolphin family, making them both toothed whales. Because of this, some experts have suggested the name "Wholphin" is misleading and have discouraged the use of the term for this reason.