Orca Whale Information

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 pigmentation; being mostly black on top, white on the bottom and having recognizable white eye patches. A cosmopolitan species, it inhabits a wide range of marine environments, from Arctic to.

Orcas are incredibly popular as they are the most widely distributed of all whales and dolphins, found in every single ocean! They are very familiar with their black and white colouring but actually, depending on where they live, have very different appearances, behaviour, ways of communicating and diet! Find out some amazing facts below about the incredible orcas. 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 Whales have a heavy and stocky body and a large dorsal fin with a dark grey "saddle patch" at the fin's rear. Males can be up to 9.5 m long (31 ft) and weigh in excess of 6 tonnes; it has been. Six tons of pure power whacks an ice floe floating in cold Arctic waters.

The seal lying on top of the ice doesn't stand a chance. Knocked into the sea, the seal becomes a meal for one of the ocean's top predators-the huge orca, or killer whale. Orcas hunt everything from fish to walruses, seals, sea lions, penguins, squid, sea turtles, sharks, and even other kinds of whales.

Depending on. Killer whale, largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae). The killer whale is easy to identify by its size and its striking coloration: jet black on top and pure white below with a white patch behind each eye, another extending up each flank, and a variable 'saddle patch' just behind the dorsal fin.

Discover more about orcas aka killer whales, How big orcas are and what an orca eats along with the issues and threats they are facing and how you can help. Description Orcas, also known as killer whales, are among the world's most easily recognized marine mammals. The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas are highly intelligent and social animals, spending their lives in groups or pods where they hunt together and share responsibility for raising young and taking care of the sick or injured.

An orca "spyhopping" out of the water. NPS Photo / K. White Orcinus orca Basic Facts Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest member of the dolphin family, reaching a length of 23 to 26 feet and weighing four to eight tons.

Seeing orcas attack large whales, eighteenth century Basque whalers called the predator "ballena assasina" meaning, "whale killer." Orcas are predatory sea mammals. Discover interesting facts about orcas, the deadly and beautiful predators that lurk in every ocean. Killer whales are easily recognized by their large size and striking black and white coloration.

The dorsal surface and pectoral flippers are black except for a grayish patch (saddle) that lies behind the dorsal fin and a white eyespot located just above and slightly behind each eye. The ventral surface, lower jaw and undersides of the flukes are predominately bright white.