Specy

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
Scientific Name
Orcinus orca 3
Conservation Status
Data Deficient 2
Body Size Band
Giant 5
Activity Pattern
Diurnal 5
Activity Pattern
Nocturnal 5
Activity Pattern
Crepuscular 5
Lifespan
90 6
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
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
G4 Apparently Secure 4
CITES Appendix
Appendix II 2
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Delphinidae, Taxa
Source Catalogue of Life

In Biome

Marine, Biomes
Source Wikipedia: Orca
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Antarctica

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Belgium

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Canada

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Colombia

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Comoros

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Denmark

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Ecuador

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Kenya

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Madagascar

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Mauritius

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Mexico

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Mozambique

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Namibia

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New Zealand

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Norway

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Portugal

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Seychelles

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Spain

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Taiwan

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Tanzania

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Venezuela

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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
  • Article text
    Orcas are included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning international trade (including in parts/derivatives) is regulated.
  • 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.
  • Infobox: 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
4. NatureServe Explorer: Orcinus orca
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G4"
View the Source
5. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)
  • Row: orcinus orca
    5368 Orcinus orca Delphinidae 25 50 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_1 ABC M A 1 1 1 Ref_3 D2 4300000 Ref_117 1
  • MamFuncDat.txt row Orcinus orca, Activity columns
    Orcinus orca Delphinidae 25 50 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_1 ABC M A 1 1 1
View the Source
6. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Orcinus orca
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Quote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 90 years (wild)
View the Source
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: DelphinidaeView the Source
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