Orca
Orcinus orca
Conservation Status
Data DeficientMammalia · Cetacea · Delphinidae
About
The orca, or killer whale, is a toothed whale and the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. The only extant species in the genus Orcinus, it is recognizable by its distinct pigmentation; being mostly black on top, white on the bottom and having recognizable white eye patches. A cosmopolitan species, it inhabits a wide range of marine environments, from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tropical seas, but is more commonly documented in temperate or cooler coastal waters. Scientists have proposed dividing the global population into races, subspecies, or possibly even species.
Fun Fact
Orca ecotypes are so behaviourally distinct that resident, transient, and offshore populations in the same ocean don't interbreed — they have different dialects, diets, and hunting strategies, and some scientists argue they are separate species.
Quick Facts
Habitat
All oceans and seas
Diet
Carnivore
Lifespan
50-80 years
Threats
- Overfishing
- Shipping Traffic