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The orca (Orcinus orca), or killer whale, is a toothed whale that is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. It is the only extant species in the genus Orcinus. Orcas are recognizable by their black-and-white patterned body.
- What Are Orcas?
- Hunting and Diet
- Reproduction
- Orcas in Captivity
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. They're immediately recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white coloring. Smart and social, orcas make a wide variety of communicative sounds, and each pod has distinctive noises that its members will recognize even at a distance. They use...
Though they often frequent cold, coastal waters, orcas can be found from the polar regions to the Equator. They're at the top of the food chain and have very diverse diets, feasting on fish, penguins, and marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even whales, employing teeth that can be four inches long. They are known to grab seals right off th...
Orcas are protective of their young, and other adolescent females often assist the mother in caring for them. (Learn more about how grandmother orcas care for their children's offspring.) Mothers give birth every three to ten years, after a 17-month pregnancy. They give birth to one baby at a time, which may nurse for up to two years. In most cases...
Orcas are highly intelligent, social mammals that have long been a part of marine park entertainment, performing shows for audiences. However, it's become increasingly clear that orcas do not thrive in captivity. They have evolved to swim up to 40 miles a day, foraging for food and exercising. They dive 100 to 500 feet, several times a day, every d...
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. Learn about their distinctive black-and-white coloring, their diverse diets, their cooperative hunting techniques, their unique culture, and why they don't thrive in captivity.
Jun 24, 2024 · Learn about the largest member of the dolphin family, also known as orca, with distinctive black and white coloration and powerful hunting skills. Find out where and how killer whales live, communicate, and evolve in different oceans and habitats.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Females: 5-7m, Males: 6-8m
- They are not ‘whales’! Despite the common misnomer of “killer whale”, they are in fact members of the Delphinidae family which are oceanic dolphins. It’s thought that sailors who saw orcas hunting whales called them “whale killers” which changed into “killer whales” over time.
- They are killers. While they’re not whales, they are killers and well known as extremely intelligent hunters. They often work together, in pods of as many as 40 members, to hunt marine mammals much larger than themselves (including whales).
- There might be more than one species of killer whale. Although for a long time Orcas were considered one species, this is now being questioned. There are several populations of orcas with specific traits, and it’s being debated whether these are subspecies or separate species.
- They can live as long as humans. Females can live as long as 100 years in the wild, while males can live as long as 60 years. In captivity however, they usually don’t live longer than 10 years.
Apr 26, 2024 · Learn about the killer whale, also known as orca, the largest member of the dolphin family and the ocean's top predator. Find out about its different populations, habitats, threats, and conservation efforts by NOAA Fisheries.
- Mammalia
- Chordata
- Cetacea
Learn about killer whales, also known as orcas, the largest dolphin species and the most widely distributed of all whale and dolphin species. Find out their distribution, feeding habits, social structure, reproduction and threats.
Learn about the orcas, the largest members of the dolphin family, and their diverse ecotypes, behaviours, and threats. Find out how WDC works to protect orcas and their habitats around the world.
