Details
Orcinus orca
The killer whale is a highly social toothed whale found across the world's oceans. Cathemeral and wide-ranging, it shows group-specific hunting traditions.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses open ocean and coastal waters, from cold seas to warmer regions. Movements follow local prey resources and learned routes.
Body length is about 500-980 cm and weight about 3-10 metric tons. Bold black-and-white markings, a large dorsal fin, and a streamlined body are distinctive.
It lives in strongly social groups often centered on maternal lines. Vocal contact and coordinated movement support cooperative hunting.
It is carnivorous, eating fish, squid, seabirds, and marine mammals. Prey choice and hunting methods vary by region and group.
Calves grow under long maternal and group care. Young learn local routes and hunting techniques through years of travel with the pod.
Its status is listed as Least Concern, but regional populations can differ greatly. Pollution, prey decline, and noise may affect some groups.
