Killer whale (orca): quick facts
The killer whale, or orca, is the ocean's top predator and the largest member of the dolphin family. Highly intelligent and social, orcas hunt in coordinated pods; as Arctic sea ice retreats they range farther north and are a growing natural predator of narwhals and belugas.
Scientific name
Orcinus orca
Group
Toothed whale (dolphin family)
Length
About 6–9 m
Weight
Up to ~6,000 kg
Lifespan
Females 50–80+ years
Diet
Fish, seals, other whales (varies by population)
Range
All oceans, including the Arctic
Population
~50,000 (global)
Conservation
Data Deficient
Full killer whale (orca) page →
Sources: NOAA Fisheries — Killer Whale; IUCN Red List — Killer Whale (Orcinus orca). Educational information only. See our sources & fact-check policy.