Killer whales are the largest members of the dolphin family. They are found in all oceans and have a diverse diet, preying on fish, marine mammals, and even large whales. Killer whales are highly social, living in matrilineal family groups that are often specific to populations and can pass on hunting techniques and behaviors across generations. While some local populations are threatened due to human impacts, the overall conservation status of killer whales is data deficient due to the possibility that different types are separate species.

1. Jed Ryan J. Eldian

2. What are Killer Whales?
The killer whale (Orcinus orca), also
referred to as the orca whale or orca, and
less commonly as
the blackfish or grampus,
is a toothed whale belonging to
the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is
the largest member. Killer whales are
found in all oceans, from Arctic
and Antarctic regions to tropical seas.
Killer whales have a diverse diet, although
individual populations often specialize in
particular types of prey. Some feed
exclusively on fish, while others
hunt marine mammals like pinnipeds, and
even large whales. They have been known
to attack baleen whale calves. Killer
whales are regarded as apex predators,
lacking natural predators.
Jed Ryan J. Eldian

3. Killer whales are highly social; some
populations are composed
of matrilineal family groups which are the
most stable of any animal species. Their
sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal
behaviours, which are often specific to a
particular group and passed across
generations, have been anthropomorphically
described as manifestations of culture.
The IUCN currently assesses the
orca's conservation status as data
deficient because of the likelihood that two or
more killer whale types are separate species.
Some local populations are
considered threatened or endangered due to
prey depletion, habitat loss, pollution
(byPCBs), capture for marine mammal parks,
and conflicts with fisheries. In late 2005, the
"southern resident" population of killer
whales that inhabits British Columbia and
Washington state waters were placed on the
U.S. Endangered Species list.
Jed Ryan J. Eldian

4. Species Description
Weight: males can weigh up to 22,000 pounds (10,000 kg);
females can weigh up to 16,500 pounds (7,500 kg)
Length: males can reach 32 feet (10 m);
females can reach 28 feet (8.5 m)
Appearance: black on top with white undersides and white patches
near their eyes; highly variable gray or white saddle
behind the dorsal fin; these markings are unique across
individuals and populations
Lifespan: up to 50-100 years:
males typically live for about 30 years, but can live as
long as 50-60 years;
females typically live about 50 years, but can live as long
as 100 years
Diet: varies (diet is often geographic or population specific),
can include fish, marine mammals, sharks, and sea birds
Behavior: highly social animals, living within matriarchal societies;
rely on underwater sound for orientation, feeding, and
communication; produce whistles and pulsed calls, used
for communication and maintaining group cohesion
Jed Ryan J. Eldian

5. Killer Whale Life Cycle
Adult
Calf
JuvenileYoung
Young
Adult
Jed Ryan J. Eldian

6. Range and Habitat
Killer whales are found in all oceans and most seas. Due to their enormous
range, numbers, and density, distributional estimates are difficult to compare,[92] but
they clearly prefer higher latitudes and coastal areas over pelagic environments.[93]
Systematic surveys indicate the highest densities of killer whales (>0.40
individuals per 100 km²) in the northeast Atlantic around theNorwegian coast, in the
north Pacific along the Aleutian Islands, the Gulf of Alaska and in the Southern Ocean off
much of the coast ofAntarctica.[92] They are considered "common" (0.20–0.40 individuals
per 100 km²) in the eastern Pacific along the coasts of British
Columbia, Washington and Oregon, in the North Atlantic Ocean around Iceland and
the Faroe Islands. High densities have also been reported but not quantified in the
western North Pacific around the Sea of Japan (in very limited areas), Shiretoko
Peninsula and offKushiro (Resident and Transient groups began colonizing in these
areas possibly after in 2000s), Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril Islands,
Jed Ryan J. Eldian

7. Kamchatka and the Commander
Islands and in the Southern Hemisphere off
the coasts of South Australia, off the coast of
southern Braziland the tip of southern Africa.
They are reported as seasonally common in
the Canadian Arctic, including Baffin
Bay between Greenlandand Nunavut, and
around Tasmania and Macquarie
Island.[92] Information for offshore regions and
tropical waters is more scarce, but
widespread, if not frequent, sightings indicate
the killer whale can survive in most water
temperatures. They have been sighted, for
example, in the Mediterranean, the Arabian
Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Indian
Ocean around the Seychelles.[92] In the
Mediterranean, killer whales are considered
"visitors" with the exception of one small
population which lives in the Strait of
Gibraltar.[94] A distinct population may also
exist in Papua New Guinea
Jed Ryan J. Eldian

8. Population
Worldwide population estimates are
uncertain, but recent consensus suggests
an absolute minimum of 50,000. Local
estimates include roughly 25,000 in the
Antarctic, 8,500 in the tropical Pacific,
2,250–2,700 off the cooler northeast Pacific
and 500–1,500 off Norway. Japan's
Fisheries Agency estimated 2,321 killer
whales were in the seas around Japan.
Jed Ryan J. Eldian

9. Captivity
Jed Ryan J. Eldian

10. The killer whale's intelligence, trainability,
striking appearance, playfulness in captivity
and sheer size have made it a popular exhibit
at aquaria and aquatic theme parks. From 1976
to 1997, 55 whales were taken from the wild in
Iceland, 19 from Japan, and three from
Argentina. These figures exclude animals that
died during capture. Live captures fell
dramatically in the 1990s, and by 1999, about
40% of the 48 animals on display in the world
were captive-born.
Jed Ryan J. Eldian