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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
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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, or 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.
Learn about the killer whale, also known as orca, the ocean's top predator and the largest dolphin. Find out about its different populations, habitats, threats, and conservation efforts by NOAA Fisheries.
Learn about 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.
May 30, 2024 · Killer whale, also known as orca, is the largest member of the dolphin family and a powerful carnivore. Learn about its size, coloration, diet, echolocation, intelligence, menopause, and social structure in different oceans.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn about the killer whale, also known as orca, a large and distinctive toothed whale that lives in pods and hunts cooperatively. Find out about its description, diet, habitat, population, status, and more.
Learn about the unique features of the Orca, a dolphin-like whale that lives in the ocean. See how its camouflage coloring, dorsal fin, flukes, pectoral fins, eyes, ears, teeth, and blowhole help it hunt and survive.
