Wild Animals A-Z

Mammals
Mammals » Wild Animals A-Z »

Orca

Orcinus orca

Natural-Born Killer: This distinctive black and white toothed cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) can be found in oceans worldwide. Also known as the killer whale, the orca is an excellent hunter. All types of fish — from herring to white sharks, to marine mammals such as whales and seals, and even turtles and birds — are not safe when the orca is nearby.

Hunting Techniques: Orcas have perfected several inventive techniques to catch their prey. One method is for large groups of orcas to work as a team to herd victims together before attacking from different angles. Orcas will also frequently force seals and sea lions to beach, giving the hunter an easy catch in the shallow water. Tipping over ice floes to unbalance a tasty meal is another trick.

A Social Cetacean: This is a social animal and it swims the oceans in large family groups, called pods, of approximately 30 mixed-sex individuals, although pods of over 150 orcas have been spotted.

Orca Culture?: Different orca populations can have very different vocal behavior, hunting techniques and social behavior. These behaviors are learned and passed on to subsequent generations, much like human culture.

Explore More

MORE SEA MAMMALS

Dolphin
Inspiring "oops" tattoos on college girls since 1983.

Whale
Thar' she blows! Dive into the wonderful world of whales.

Seal
The seal: sluggish on land, but spectacular in the sea.

Manatee
Hey! Who you calling a sea cow? Meet the manatee.

Sea Lion
Acrobats of the sea or absolute beach bums? You decide!

MORE ORCA

VIDEO: Orcas Hunting Penguins

VIDEO: Orcas Attack a Seal

INTERACTIVE: Seal-Hunting Orcas

EXPERT: On Filming Orcas

PUZZLES: Orca Puzzles

VIDEO: Confronting a Killer

EXPERT: A Chat With Peter Gros

FACTS: More Orca Facts

DID YOU KNOW?

Orca Types: Orcas are divided into three types: "resident orcas," which eat fish and squid; "transient orcas," which eat marine mammals; and the recently discovered "offshore orcas," which eat fish, sharks and sea turtles.

A Taste for Birds: Some orcas prey on birds, such as cormorants, penguins and sea gulls. They have been observed regurgitating fish onto the water's surface to attract sea gulls and then eat them.

Humongous Hunters: Adult orcas weigh, on average, between 5,700 to 16,000 pounds. The largest orca on record, a male, weighed over 8 tons (17,636 pounds).

How Stuff Works

Why Are Orcas Called "Killer Whales"?
A member of the dolphin family, the orca is one of the largest carnivores in the world. Find out how it got the name "killer whale" at HowStuffWorks.com.