Orcas

The orca, or killer whale, is a species of toothed whale easily recognizable by its iconic black and white markings. 

These highly intelligent animals are found throughout the world’s oceans, from the Arctic to the Antarctic and in the tropical seas in between. 

Estimating their distribution and population sizes is challenging because there are many populations globally, but they seem to prefer higher latitudes and coastal regions over the open ocean. 

Orcas are apex predators, with individual populations preying on different species depending on their location. They usually eat seals, whales, sharks, dolphins, squid, sea turtles, rays and fish.

Quick facts

  • Orcas aren’t actually whales. They are the largest member of the dolphin family.
  • Males are larger than females and can grow up to eight meters in length and weigh over six tons. Females can grow to seven meters and weigh up to four tons.
  • There are an estimated 50,000 individuals globally.
  • Orcas are apex predators, meaning that they have no natural predators themselves.
  • Depending on their prey, orcas may dive several hundred meters (or feet), but generally spend the majority of their time in shallower coastal waters.
  • Orcas are incredibly social animals and live in complex family groups called pods. Their social systems are integrated with culture, family units and friendships, with specific vocalizations and hunting techniques passed down through generations.
  • Orcas have highly developed senses, particularly eyesight, hearing and touch.
  • Their best sense is echolocation which, like other members of the dolphin family, allows them to detect the location and behavior of prey species, pod members and other underwater objects by emitting clicks and listening for echoes. 
  • Individual orcas can be identified by their dorsal fins and the saddle patches on their backs.
  • They have complicated hunting techniques and have been shown to corral, disorientate, trap, chase to exhaustion, drown, separate or stun their prey.
  • Orcas have been documented using signals from the whaling and fishing industries such as exploding harpoons and boat engines to locate possible prey to scavenge.
  • On average an orca consumes 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of food daily and they can live up to 50 years.
Orcas

Orcas need your help

The global conservation status of orcas is unknown, as there are multiple populations throughout the world. However, several populations are considered to be threatened or endangered.

What would happen without orcas?

Without orcas, the balance of ocean ecosystems would be completely disrupted, leading to prey populations growing unchecked. This would result in a cascade of imbalance down the food web, impacting every species within the ecosystem.

Threats to orca

Orcas are facing serious threats that require immediate attention and action. Whaling and hunting of orcas has occurred since the 18th century. However, it was outlawed by the International Whaling Commission in the 1980s. 

Today, orcas are facing several major threats: 

  • Habitat loss, chemical pollution, capture for marine mammal parks, conflicts with fisheries, and prey depletion are all causing orca numbers to dwindle in the wild.
  • Pollutants in the marine environment affect a large array of species; however, apex predators such as orcas are most heavily affected as these pollutants carry up through the food chain and increase in concentration – as larger animals prey on smaller animals, the pollutants build up in their systems, and eventually the larger animals are eaten by orcas.
  • Noise pollution from boat traffic, seismic surveys and military activity greatly impacts an orca’s ability to use sonar to navigate and locate prey. There have been several documented cases of strandings of whales and dolphins due to disruptions from boat traffic.

Due to their high levels of intelligence, trainability and social behaviors, orcas have been captured for animal entertainment, which has resulted in the reduction of several populations of orcas worldwide. The effects of capture from over 60 years ago are still felt today, with several populations still recovering.

Orcas in captivity suffer greatly as the artificial environments and small enclosures in which they are kept are unable to satisfy their biological or psychological needs. Orcas are incredibly intelligent and social, and captive orcas, often kept in isolation, experience severe boredom and depression.

You wouldn’t want to be kidnapped from your home, separated from your family, forced to live in a concrete enclosure, performing tricks for food and being continuously drugged for the rest of your life. Why would they?

Orcas

Solutions

Protecting orca populations requires both immediate and long-term action.

Marine protected areas, reduction of conflict with fisheries, and better fisheries management practices to avoid overfishing are all solutions that governments can put into action now to protect apex predators like orcas. Reducing the amount of chemical pollutants in the ocean and mitigating noise pollution from boat traffic should be the responsibility of both companies and individuals.

How you can help orcas

As an individual, you can help orcas by opposing orca captivity and supporting organizations that promote the rehabilitation of orcas in captivity and the protection of wild orca populations. You can vote for governments with climate-friendly policies and solutions, and share information with your friends and family about the true nature of these magnificent marine mammals.

Read up about more wild animals at risk.