SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

COMMON NAME:	killer whale, orca
KINGDOM:	Animalia
PHYLUM:	Chordata
CLASS:	Mammalia
ORDER:	Cetacea
SUBORDER:	Odontoceti
FAMILY:	Delphinidae
GENUS SPECIES:	Orcinus orca

FAST FACTS

DESCRIPTION:	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.
MALE	In mature males, the dorsal fin is tall and triangular and may reach a height of 1.8 m (6 ft.). Also, adult males tend to be larger than adult females.
FEMALE	In most females, the dorsal fin is typically smaller and slightly falcate (curved back), reaching an average height of 0.9-1.2 m (3-4 ft.).

SIZE:	Calves average 2.6 m (8.5 ft.) in length
MALE	Averages 5.8-6.7 m (19-22 ft.); largest males on record were 9.8 m (32 ft.)
FEMALE	Averages 4.9-5.8 m (16-19 ft.)

WEIGHT:	Newborn calves weigh 136-181 kg (300-400 lb.)
MALE	Averages 3,628-5,442 kg (8,000-12,000 lb.); largest males recorded weighed 10,000 kg (22,000 lb.)
FEMALE	Averages 1,361-3,628 kg (3,000-8,000 lb.)

DIET:

Fishes, marine mammals, birds and sea turtles

GESTATION:	15-18 months; 17 months on average
ESTRAL PERIOD	Varies; tend to come into estrus several times a year or more
NURSING DURATION	12 or more months (wean)

SEXUAL MATURITY:
MALE	At about 5.5-6.1 m (18-20 ft.); 10-13 years
FEMALE	At about 4.6-4.9 m (15-16 years); 6-10 years

LIFE SPAN:
MALE	Approximately 25-30 years
FEMALE	May live as long as 50 years

RANGE:

Oceans worldwide; most abundant in the Arctic and Antarctic and in areas of cold-water upwelling

HABITAT:

Coastal and offshore waters; resident pods may frequent localized waterways (bays, sounds, etc.) whereas transient pods tend to cover more extensive, varied areas

POPULATION:

GLOBAL

Estimated 80,000-90,000; possibly more

STATUS:	IUCN	Lower Risk/Conservation Dependent
	CITES	Appendix II
	USFWS	Not listed