Introduction

Common Name: Killer Whale or Orca
Scientific Name: Orcinus Orca

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla

Infraorder: Cetacea

Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Orcinus
Species: O. Orca

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Size: 23-32 feet

Weight: Up to 6 tons (12,000 pounds)

​Average Life Span in the Wild: 50-80 years

Killer whales, or orcas, are the second-most distributed mammal besides humans. They are found in all oceans of the world and sometimes migrate to catch their prey. Killer whales are part of the dolphin species and are known to sometimes even eat their own kind. They visually are black with white spots and are toothed dolphins. They are referred to as "wolves of the sea" and travel in pods, or groups. They are led by the female and they typically only leave for hours away from each other before returning. There are two types of orcas - resident and transient. Transient killer whales are known to be more unpredictable, and they differ with different clicks and dialects. Orcas breathe through their one blowhole at the top of their head - they exhale as they reach the surface of the water and inhale outside the water for oxygen. Their blubber saves heat as well as due to their fusiform body shape. Orcas kept in captivity live less and don't know how to fend for themselves.