Habitat and Distribution | Physical Appearance | Behavior | Breeding and Reproduction | Diet | Fun Facts
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Habitat and Distribution

Orcas live in all oceans of the world. These mammals prefer to live in cooler waters, especially the polar regions, with the largest populations found in the Artic and Antarctica. It has been estimated that 160,000 killer whales inhabit the waters surrounding the continent of Antarctica. Besides these areas, orcas can be found in all seas including the Western Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Orcas are usually seen within 500 miles off the shoreline. These mammals prefer to live in deep waters. Sightings within the surf zone such as shallow bays, inland seas and estuaries are uncommon. Orcas migrate from place to place depending on food availability and ice formation in the freezing waters.

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Physical Appearance

Physical Appearance
The orca, also known as the killer whale, is the largest member of the dolphin family. The head of this marine mammal is conical in shape. Orcas have 10-12 large conical curved teeth on each side of their jaw, along with powerful mouth muscles to help with prey capture.

Color: Orcas have a very distinct jet-black body with white patches over the eyes, under the jaw, on the belly, and on either side of the body. They also have a gray saddle-shaped patch behind their dorsal fin. This coloration is thought to create camouflage. Their dark back blends in with the water below, while the light belly blends in with the light above entering the ocean. This camouflage, called countershading, may help orcas to sneak up on unsuspecting prey.
Length and weight: Female orcas grow between 16-23 feet in length, and weigh between 3,000 and 8,000 pounds. Males are slightly larger growing up to 23-36 feet and weighing between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds.
Fins: Orcas have a very distinctive jet-black dorsal fin.This dorsal fin can be as large as 3 feet in females, and 6 feet in males.

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Behavior

Orcas form pods mixed with males, females and calves. An orca's pod is a close family group that contains members that usually stay together for life. When two or more pods come together these groups are called "superpods". Superpods can contain more than 150 individuals.

Studies on orcas have shown these mammals belong to one of two groups - a "transient' group or "resident" group. Transient groups form smaller pods of 1-7 individuals and roam over large oceanic areas. In addition, this group feeds mainly on mammals, vocalizes less frequently and stays underwater for 5 to 15 minutes at a time. Transients also have a more pointed dorsal fin located on the center of their backs. Residents, on the other hand, form larger pods made up of 5-25 individuals, roam in a smaller home area, and feed dominantly on fish. This group also tends to vocalize more often and stay underwater for shorter time periods (less than 4 minutes at a time).

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Breeding and Reproduction

Male orcas reach sexual maturity when they reach about 22 feet long, or between the ages of 12 and 16 years. Females reach sexual maturity at around 16 feet in length, or between the ages of 6 to 10 years. Orcas breed mainly in the winter and early spring. Females are pregnant for approximately 17 months before they give birth. Females usually give birth every 3 to 10 years. When a baby orca is born, it is about 6.5 to 8 feet in length, and may weigh up to 400 pounds. Now that's a big baby!

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Diet

Orcas have one of the most diverse diets of all marine mammals. They have been known to eat birds, sea turtles, penguins, seals, porpoises, and large baleen whales. More commonly, orcas can be seen eating fish such as salmon and cod, and squid. An orca's diet is largely dependent on where the animal lives and what food is available in that environment.

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Fun Facts

Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family.
Oras are among the fastest swimming marine mammals, reaching speeds of up to 30 mph. In the wild, you will typically see orcas swimming at a much slower pace, averaging 2 to 6 mph.

At a distance, female and juvenile killer whales have been known to be confused with the Risso's dolphins and Dall's porpoises.
The dorsal fin of a male orca can stand up to 6 feet tall.
Adult orcas eat 100-300 pounds of food each day.

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