Epaulard vs Madeira Shield-Fern

Orcinus orca compared with Polystichum drepanum

Key Differences

• Epaulard is Data Deficient while Madeira Shield-Fern is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Epaulard	Madeira Shield-Fern
Kingdom	Animalia (hayvan)	Plantae (bitki)
Phylum	Chordata (Kordalılar)	Tracheophyta
Class	Mammalia (memeliler)	Polypodiopsida (Polypodiopsida)
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Polypodiales (Polypodiales)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Dryopteridaceae
Genus	Orcinus (Orcas)	Polystichum
Species	Orcinus orca	Polystichum drepanum

Conservation Status

Epaulard

DD — Data Deficient

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Unknown ?

Madeira Shield-Fern

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Epaulard	Madeira Shield-Fern
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	50 years	—
Average Length	8.0 m	—
Average Weight	5.4 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Epaulard

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

Madeira Shield-Fern

Habitat

Typically found in moist, shaded forest floors and tropical canopies.

Range

Found in Portugal. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Epaulard

The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas reach up to 9 meters and 6 tonnes and are found in every ocean from Arctic to Antarctic. Apex predators living in matrilineal pods with distinct dialects, hunting strategies, and cultural traditions that differ between populations. Some populations specialize in fish, others in marine mammals. No natural predators; orcas sit at the top of every marine food chain they inhabit.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇵🇹 Portugal