Orca
Orca / Killer Whale Facts
| Size | 20-26 ft (6-8 m) |
| Speed | 34 mph (56 km/h) (short distances) |
| Weight | Up to 6 tons |
| Lifespan | 50-80 years |
| Food | Fish, marine mammals, seals, squids, penguins |
| Predators | Big sharks |
| Habitat | Ocean and coastal regions |
| Order | Whales |
| Suborder | Toothed whales |
| Family | Oceanic dolphins |
| Scientific name | Orca orcinus |
| Characteristics | Large, black and white whale with longest dorsal fin |
Main Characteristics
The orca is a large marine mammal. Among all whales, it has the longest dorsal fin, measuring 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length. Additionally, it has the thinnest layer of blubber, which is only 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) thick. Its most striking feature is its black and white coloration. Its common name is "killer whale". The orca is quite large, so many people are surprised to learn that it is actually a type of dolphin.
Species
When people think of dolphins, they often picture a friendly, gray marine mammal that squeaks. However, there are about 40 different species of dolphins, each varying in appearance and size. The orca is the largest and heaviest of all dolphins.
Origin of the Name
Why is the orca called a "killer whale"? For centuries, it has been feared, primarily due to its name. Even its Latin name, Orcinus orca, suggests something ominous: it translates to "belonging to the kingdom of the dead". Yet, it is generally friendly and curious towards humans. So why the name killer whale? It likely originated because it preys on other whales, such as small dolphins, dwarf whales, and gray whales. Fishermen referred to it as "whale killer". A mix-up led to the term becoming "killer whale".
Distribution and Habitat
Orcas are the most widely distributed of all whales. They thrive in almost any environment, whether in the icy waters of the Arctic and Antarctic or in warm tropical seas. They are often found near coastlines, where they can find plenty of prey.
Way of Life
Orcas are not solitary creatures. They live in groups, much like (almost) all dolphins. They are very social and often stay together for life. Some are "resident", while others undertake long migrations.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Male orcas can grow to be between 20-26 feet (6-8 meters) long and can weigh up to 6 tons. In contrast, females are generally a bit smaller and lighter, reaching lengths of 16-23 feet (5-7 meters) and weighing between 3 to 4 tons.
Black and White Color
Why are orcas black and white? Their striking coloration actually serves a purpose... it’s for camouflage! The technical term for this is countershading. To grasp how this works, one must understand that it primarily depends on the angle of view.
• White Belly
When prey is located beneath an orca and looks up, the white belly blends in with the bright surface of the water, making the orca nearly invisible. This allows it to attack without being seen.
• Dark Back
When an animal is above the orca and looks down, it sees the black back. This color barely stands out against the darkness of the depths, perfectly camouflaging the orca. By the way, this is also why penguins are black and white.
White Eye Patches
The location of an orca's eyes can be hard to identify, as the skin around the black eyes is also black. However, just behind them are white eye patches. Why is that? The eyes are often a target during a fight. The white patches draw attention to themselves, and with a bit of luck, the attacker might miss the eye by just a few centimeters.
Fins
• Dorsal Fin
Among all whales, the orca has the longest dorsal fin. In males, it can reach lengths of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters).It is very narrow, stands straight up, and resembles a long sword. This is why the orca is known as the "Schwertwal“ („sword whale“) in German.
• Pectoral Fins
The pectoral fins are called "flippers" and can grow to about 6.5 feet (2 meters) in length.
• Tail Fin
The large tail fin is known as the "fluke" and can be as wide as 9 feet (2.8 meters).
Diet
Orcas are carnivorous. They feed on 20-30 different species of mammals, birds, and fish. They particularly enjoy squid, other whales, seals, seabirds, and penguins. They require about 440 pounds (200 kg) of food daily.
Behavior
Swimming
Orcas have a strong urge to move and swim distances of up to 100 miles (160 km) each day.
Diving
Orcas can dive to depths of 100-500 feet (30-150 meters) and can hold their breath for 15-20 minutes. However, they typically surface every two to five minutes to breathe.
Social Behavior
Orcas are highly social and live in small pods of 10 to a maximum of 70 individuals. They rarely separate and almost always swim together.
Orcas Take Care of the Young Together
Within a pod, all members collectively care for the young, regardless of whether they are related or not. Since they can live up to 80 years in exceptional cases, sometimes up to four generations coexist in a pod.
Orcas Have Their Own "Dialects"
Orcas communicate through whistles and clicks. Each pod has its own unique “dialect”, meaning they have a specific way of producing sounds that helps maintain their social bonds.
Hunting Techniques
Orcas are intelligent hunters that work in teams and employ a variety of strategies. For instance, they excel at herding prey and cutting off their escape routes. Here are their most popular hunting methods:
Confusing Air Bubbles
Orcas create air bubbles underwater using their blowholes. This confuses their prey to the point where they lose their sense of direction and can be easily caught.
Stunning Fin Slaps
Another tactic involves stunning prey with direct fin slaps. These slaps are so powerful that they can render prey unconscious and immobile.
"Washing" Prey off Ice Floes
One particularly impressive method is when orcas retrieve prey from ice floes. With a strong fin slap, they create a large wave underwater that effectively "washes" their prey off the ice floe.
Beach "Snapshot"
Occasionally, orcas venture close to the shore. There, they attempt to catch seals. To gain the element of surprise, they rush in at high speed and land with their massive bodies on the sand. With a bit of luck, they get close enough to catch a seal.
Are Orcas Dangerous?
In the wild, orcas are generally curious and playful animals. However, they can become aggressive if threatened, harassed, or confined.
Attacks on Boats
Since 2022, there have been increasing reports of orcas attacking boats in the Strait of Gibraltar, a narrow passage between Spain and Morocco. One possible reason for this behavior could be that the animals are under significant stress due to heavy ship traffic. Another reason might be that they perceive the boats as competitors for food. Researchers believe that they specifically target the oars to prevent the boat from moving forward.
Attacks on Humans
Orcas do not eat humans. We are not part of their natural prey. So far, there has not been a single documented case of an orca killing a human in the wild. However, the situation is different in captivity. The animals are kept in tiny concrete pools and have to endure their lives there – a torment for them! The high stress levels have previously led to fatal attacks on trainers and humans.
Abilities and Senses
Intelligence
Orcas are considered to be very intelligent. They are among the smartest animals in the world. They have sophisticated hunting techniques, coordinate with their peers during hunts, pass learned behaviors to their young, and even have “dialects”. Additionally, they are one of the few animals that can recognize themselves in a mirror. They even use tools: they tear off a bunch of kelp (seaweed), wedge it between themselves and a companion, and then start rubbing to remove parasites from their skin.
Can Orcas Kill Blue Whales?
Aside from large sharks, there is no more dangerous predator in the ocean than the orca. However, even they cannot take down an adult blue whale. The situation is different for young, sick, or old whales. By hunting together in a pod, they can combine their strength and potentially kill a blue whale.
Do Orcas Hunt Sharks?
Yes, orcas sometimes hunt sharks and pursue them for hours before attacking them. It was previously believed that they could only take down a great white shark in groups. However, in 2024, a single orca was filmed in South Africa capturing a great white shark.
Can Orcas Kill Polar Bears?
Polar bears spend most of their time on the ice, while orcas are in the water. Encounters between the two species are extremely rare. However, if they do meet, it is possible for an orca to attack and kill a polar bear, though this happens very infrequently.
Life Expectancy
Orcas can live to be very old. Their life expectancy ranges from 30 to 50 years, and sometimes they even reach 80 years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Adult orcas have no natural enemies. Only large sharks can prey on weak or sick young orcas.
Human Impact
Humans pose the greatest threat to orcas. They suffer the most from overfishing, pollution, and ship traffic.
Fishing
Due to the extremely high amounts of fish caught daily, orcas are finding less and less food. Additionally, they often get entangled in fishing nets and drown.
Pollution
Pollution from harmful substances and plastics leads to diseases and infertility.
Ship Traffic
The noise from ships disrupts their echolocation and causes significant stress. Moreover, collisions - especially with ship propellers - often result in life-threatening injuries.
Helping Orcas
It’s actually quite simple: Buy more local products, as these don’t need to be transported by ships. And if you want orcas to have something to eat: Fill your plate with plant-based alternatives. Remember: Orcas cannot survive without fish. We humans can.
Conservation Status
Orcas are currently not considered endangered. The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the USA) estimates the population to be around 50,000.
Keeping Orcas in Zoos and Marine Parks
Seeing an orca up close is an amazing experience for us humans. However, it is not for the orcas. They must spend their entire lives in a tiny, unnatural water tank. They suffer greatly from a lack of movement and cannot express their natural social behaviors.
Drooping Fins
If an orca's fin droops down on its back, it indicates that the animal is unwell. This is particularly common in animals that are kept in marine parks. The main cause of the drooping fin is a lack of movement. These creatures are accustomed to swimming long distances every day, which is not possible in small enclosures. Their muscles do not get exercised and weaken. Keeping orcas in marine parks therefore heavily criticized.
"Famous" Orcas
Two "famous" examples are Tilikum and Kiska. Tilikum was the largest orca ever held in captivity. He struggled with captivity, became aggressive, and was ultimately responsible for three deaths. Kiska was known as the "loneliest orca in the world" because she had to spend her last 12 years completely alone. A torment for such a social animal. What are your thoughts: Is it right to keep orcas in captivity?
Reproduction
Orcas have a gestation period of 12 to 18 months. At birth, a calf already weighs 200 kg and measures 2.4 m in length. The bond between mother and child is very strong and typically lasts a lifetime.
Fun Facts
Orcas possess the second-largest brain of all marine mammals, with the sperm whale having the largest.
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Arctic Tern
- Atlantic Puffin
- Elephant Seal
- Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
- Green Sea Turtle
- Hammerhead Shark
- King Penguin
- Leatherback Sea Turtle
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle
- Polar Bear
- Sea Otter
- Walrus
Sources:
- „Killer Whale“ (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov)
- „Direct observation of killer whales preying on white sharks and evidence of a flight response“ (https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
- „Further insights into killer whales Orcinus orca preying on white sharks Carcharodon carcharias in South Africa“ (https://www.tandfonline.com)
- „Largest dolphin species“ (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
- „Tallest dorsal fin for a dolphin“ (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
- „Fastest marine mammal“ (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
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