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Pod of orcas in Monterey Bay

Orca

Orcinus orca

Not on exhibit
Animal type
Marine mammals
Ecosystem
Open ocean
Relatives
Dolphins; Order: Cetacea; Family: Delphinidae
Diet
Other whales; dolphins, seals and sea lions; penguins and other seabirds; sea turtles and fishes (especially herring and salmon)
Range
Coastal oceans worldwide, but most common in Arctic and Antarctic waters
Size
Males up to 32 feet (9.8 m) and 10 tons (9,072 kg); females up to 28 feet (8.5 m) and 7.5 tons (6,800 kg)

Meet the orca

The orca lives in a tight-knit family group, or pod, of two to 30 individuals. With squeals and moans, pod members keep in touch. They’ll protect one another from danger and even come to the aid of an ailing or injured companion. The pod moves from place to place as food sources change with the seasons. Their pods are matrilineal in structure.

Watch in real time

Natural history

Considered the most widespread cetacean, the killer whale is truly cosmopolitan and not limited by such habitat features as water temperature or depth.

Conservation

The orca has been killed in whaling operations worldwide, but there is no fishery directed specifically at this species. There is insufficient data about populations to assess their status, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

The Southern Resident pods in the Northwest Pacific region are considered one of the most threatened cetacean species and are currently closely monitored by governmental offices.

Cool facts

  • Orcas are the largest of the dolphin species.
  • Female orcas gestate their calves for 15 to 18 months. A calf can weigh 350 pounds (160 kg) at birth!
  • Hunting together like a pack of wolves, a pod of orcas can surround a school of salmon or even overwhelm a larger whale.
  • Each orca’s color pattern is unique and is used in photo archive databases to track and monitor the movements of individual animals.

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