The Killer Whale
(Orcinus orca)

Killer whales, often referred to by their Latin name "orca", are actually the largest member of the dolphin (Delphinidae) family. With between 48 and 52 large, conical shaped teeth, killer whales are the top predators in the oceans.

They are black with white patches usually over the eyes, under the jaw, on the belly, and extending onto their sides. Female killer whales can grow to 7.9m with a 0.9m dorsal fin, and males can reach 8.5m with a 1.3m dorsal fin. Killer whales can be distinguished from one another by studying their dorsal fins: shape, size, scars, nicks and marks on the fins and distinctive greyish-white saddle patches behind them all help identify individuals.

Where are they found?

Killer whales can be found in all oceans, but they seem to prefer cooler, coastal waters. They are social animals and live in stable family groups called pods. Calves live and travel with their mothers even after they are fully-grown. Other members of the pod also care for the calves.

Each pod has its own "language", distinct from other pods by the "dialect" of sounds the pod uses. Killer whales can easily recognize their own pod from several miles away based on their dialect.

What do they eat?

Killer whales are often compared to wolves because both species are top predators, maintain complex social relationships, and hunt cooperatively as a pod. The killer whale diet consists of fish, squid, seals, sea lions and other whales and dolphins, and even sharks. Resident pods prefer fish whereas transient pods appear to target other marine mammals as prey.

How long do they live?

Killer whale males reach breeding age when they are around 6.7m long while females can breed when they are about 4.9m long. Killer whales breed all year around and calves are born about 2.4m long after a 17-month gestation period. Female killer whales usually give birth every three to ten years, and can live to be about 50 to 80-years-old.

Conservation concerns

Killer whale populations are stable, however, they are threatened by the same environmental changes that affect other whales, including habitat loss, pollution, and declining fish stocks.