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Orca

Mammals
Orca

The orca, also called the killer whale, is the largest member of the dolphin family, found in oceans worldwide from polar to tropical waters, easily recognized by its black and white coloration and tall dorsal fin, which can reach nearly two metres in adult males. Orcas are highly social, living in matrilineal pods with complex vocal dialects that differ between populations, and different populations specialize in different diets, some hunting fish almost exclusively while others prey on marine mammals such as seals and even other whales, making the orca an apex predator of the ocean. Despite being widespread, some regional populations are small and declining due to pollution, prey depletion and human disturbance, and the species as a whole is classified as data deficient by conservation assessments.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 2
System (Realm)
Marine 2
Threats
Pollution 2
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 2
Living or Extinct
Yes 3
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
A large black-and-white dolphin with a tall upright dorsal fin, a white patch behind each eye, and a pale saddle patch behind the fin. 1
Scientific Name
Orcinus orca 3
Conservation Status
Data Deficient 2
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Delphinidae, Taxa
Source Catalogue of Life

In Biome

Marine, Biomes
Source Wikipedia: Orca
In the Other Atlases
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Antarctica, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Belgium, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Canada, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Colombia, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Comoros, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Denmark, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Ecuador, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Kenya, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Madagascar, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Mauritius, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Mexico, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Mozambique, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Namibia, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: New Zealand, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Norway, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Portugal, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Seychelles, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Spain, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Taiwan, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Tanzania, found in there.
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Venezuela, found in there.
Sources
1. Orca (Wikipedia)
Introduction
Quote, Introduction
it is recognizable by its distinct pigmentation; being mostly black on top, white on the bottom and having recognizable white eye patches.
2. Wikipedia: Orca
  • threat (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
    Some local populations are threatened or endangered due to prey depletion, habitat loss, pollution (by PCBs), captures for marine parks, and conflicts with fisheries.
  • system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
    A cosmopolitan species, it inhabits a wide range of marine environments, from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tropical seas, but is more commonly documented in temperate or cooler coastal waters.
  • Lead section
    They have been taken by whalers when stocks of larger species have declined
  • system (entity description states it plainly, diet)
    Orcas are highly social, living in matrilineal pods with complex vocal dialects that differ between populations, and different populations specialize in different diets, some hunting fish almost exclusively while others prey on marine mammals such as seals and even other whales, making the orca an apex predator of the ocean.
  • Speciesbox infobox, conservation status parameter
    status = DD
  • In Biome: Marine, Wikipedia intro: "ttom and having recognizable white eye patches. A cosmopolitan species, it inhabits a wide range of marine environments, from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tro..."
View the Source
3. Wikidata: Orca
Wikidata
  • Wikidata Q26843, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Statements section, habitat (P2974): Marine
    Wikidata habitat statement (P2974) resolves to a marine habitat type.
  • Wikidata Q26843 (P225 taxon name)
  • Statements section, conservation status (P141)
    Wikidata Q26843: data deficient (P141).
View the Source
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: DelphinidaeView the Source
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