# Orca (*Orcinus orca*) Orcas, also called killer whales, are powerful marine predators. They live in family groups called pods. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Snaps:** 17 - **Habitat:** Oceans around the world. - **Also known as:** Blackfish, Killer Whale ![Orca](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426614/objects/4392.jpg) ## Appearance The Orca is a large, powerful dolphin with distinctive black and white markings. It has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body, a tall dorsal fin, and paddle-like flippers, easily recognized by the white patches above its eyes and on its belly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Cetacea - **Family:** Delphinidae - **Genus:** Orcinus ## Interesting facts - Each pod speaks a unique 'dialect' of clicks and whistles. - Orcas are the ocean's largest dolphins, not whales! - Some pods specialize in hunting specific prey like great white sharks! - They use powerful tail slaps to stun prey or communicate. ## Special abilities - **Sonar Navigation:** Orca can use echolocation to navigate and hunt in dark or murky waters, because they emit sounds and interpret the echoes. - **Teamwork Hunting:** Orca use complex group strategies to catch large prey because of their strong social bonds that help them coordinate attacks. - **Learned Traditions:** Orca have distinct 'dialects' and hunting traditions within pods that help them pass on knowledge through generations. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 500-900 cm - **Weight:** 2000-6000 kg - **Lifespan:** 50-90 years - **Speed:** 56 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 450-540 days ## Diet & Feeding Orcas are top predators, feasting on a wide variety of marine animals, from fish to other large mammals. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Seals, Sea lions, Other whales, Dolphins, Penguins - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** California sea lion (*Zalophus californianus*) — Orcas frequently hunt these agile pinnipeds near coastlines. - **Hunts:** [Harbor seal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harbor-seal) (*Phoca vitulina*) — These seals are common prey for transient orca populations. - **Hunts:** [Chinook salmon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chinook-salmon) (*Oncorhynchus tshawytscha*) — Resident orca populations primarily eat this large, fatty fish. - **Hunts:** [Humpback whale](https://www.snappit.app/explore/humpback-whale) (*Megaptera novaeangliae*) — Some orca pods cooperatively hunt young humpback calves. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Echolocation](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/echolocation): Echolocation is a biological sonar used by animals to navigate, hunt, and communicate by emitting sound waves and interpreting the echoes. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Wild orcas are dangerous — never approach. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Orca? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Orca? 500-900 cm ### How much does Orca weigh? 2000-6000 kg ### How long does Orca live? 50-90 years ### How fast can Orca move? 56 km/h ### What does Orca eat? Orcas are top predators, feasting on a wide variety of marine animals, from fish to other large mammals. ### Where is Orca usually found? Oceans around the world. ### How does Orca hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [SeaWorld San Diego](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-san-diego) — California, US · Aquarium - [Loro Parque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loro-parque) — Canary Islands, ES · Zoo - [SeaWorld San Diego](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-san-diego-california) — California, US · Zoo - [Point Retreat Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-retreat-light) — US · Historic District - [SeaWorld Orlando](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-orlando) — Florida, US · Zoo - [SeaWorld Orlando](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-orlando-florida) — Florida, US · Aquarium [View all places to see Orca](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/orca) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Orca: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/orca)