The orca (Orcinus orca), or killer whale, is a toothed whale and the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. The only extant species in the genus Orcinus, it is recognizable by its distinct …

Dec 2, 2025 · More than 20 species names have been applied to the killer whale, but a consensus now recognizes only O. orca. Killer whales were formerly referred to as grampuses, but that term is now a …

An orca calf swims with two adults during a herring feeding. Orcas are skilled hunters that coordinate attacks as a group.

Aug 18, 2025 · The killer whale, also known as orca, is the ocean’s top predator. It is the largest member of the Delphinidae family, or dolphins. Members of this family include all dolphin species, as well as …

Killer Whales are distinctively marked, with a black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eye. Calves are born with a yellowish or orange tint, which fades to white. Killer …

As they move up the chain from invertebrate to fish to orca, these pollutants become concentrated. Recent studies have found that orcas are among the most contaminated marine mammals in the …

Jan 28, 2025 · There is no record of an orca ever killing a human in the wild. One of the few documented near-attacks — an orca charging at a surfer in Norway before pulling away — most likely happened ...

Sep 24, 2024 · The Orca, known as the Killer Whale, is one of the ocean’s most recognizable and intelligent predators. This apex predator has fascinated humans for centuries, thanks to its striking …

A wild orca pod can cover over 99 miles (160 kilometers) a day, foraging and socializing. They were give the name "killer whale" by ancient sailors who saw them preying on large whales. Orcas are still …

Williams, R., Trites, A. W. & Bain, D. E. Behavioural responses of killer whales (Orcinus orca) to whale-watching boats: opportunistic observations and experimental approaches.