Orcinus orca (orca, killer whale )
Specimen Images |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Cetartiodactyla (Cetaceans) |
| Family | Delphinidae |
| Genus | Orcinus |
| Species | Orcinus orca |
| Common | orca, killer whale |
| Diet | Carnivorous: fish, birds and mammals (including other whales). |
| Habitat | Worldwide. Status: Common, not listed |
| Description | Cetacean subgroup Odontoceti. Largest of family. Distinct coloration, black dorsally, white ventrally, white eye patch. Large paddle-like pectoral flippers. Adult males are much larger and have tall triangular dorsal fins up to 1.8 m in length. Female and younger animals have falcate dorsal fin. Size: up to 8 m, 5 metric tons. |
| Skull Characteristics | |
| Notes | Links to more species information:
Smithsonian Animal Diversity Web |