Orca | Oceana
Home / Orca
Marine Life Encyclopedia > Marine Mammals > Orca

Orca

When debating the ocean’s top predator, the widely popularized white shark comes to mind for many — but there’s no competition when it comes to the orca, our ocean’s true apex predator.  

 

The orca, also known as killer whale, has no geographic limits — it may be found playing in the surf or roaming the deep in every ocean across the globe, although there are higher concentrations of orcas in colder waters. The largest member of the dolphin family, they can grow to be up to 9.8 meters (32 feet) in length. Their size, along with their iconic black and white appearance and prominent dorsal fins, makes them easily recognizable. For some males, their dorsal fin can be up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. 

There are multiple populations of orcas around the world, each with distinct ecotypes that differ in appearance, diet, habitat, and behavior. Scientists believe that some of these ecotypes may even represent separate subspecies or species. These different populations and ecotypes can vary in appearance, diet, habitat, and behavior. As a whole, orcas have the most diverse diet of any dolphin, whale, or porpoise — but some populations, like the Southern Resident orcas, are quite selective, feeding primarily on salmon. These cunning predators are known to hunt in a strategic, pack-like formations. Orcas are also matriarchal, with one female orca holds the highest status in the pod and often leading the way when migrating or hunting.  

 

 

There are a variety of threats to orcas across the globe, including entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, oil spills, noise interference, and lack of food — especially in the case of Southern Resident orcas. While orcas are widely distributed and abundant, they are listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List due to uncertainty around the number of orca species or subspecies that may exist.  

 

 

Since orcas are found in every ocean around the world, the threats they face need to be addressed globally as well. Oceana campaigns around the world for science-based policies that stop overfishing, protect habitat, increase transparency, protect our climate, curb plastic pollution, and increase biodiversity. 

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED

DONATE TODAY

SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean.

DONATE

TAKE ACTION NOW

SUPPORT POLICY CHANGE FOR THE OCEANS

Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

ACT NOW

VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

SHOP THE STORE

DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!

LEARN MORE

FEATURED CAMPAIGN

Save the Oceans, Feed the World

We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.

Learn More

MORE CAMPAIGNS

Protect Habitat

Bycatch

Plastics

View All

CONTACT

Oceana International Headquarters
1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036 USA

General Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
info@oceana.org

Donation Inquiries
+1(202)-569-4895
wavemaker@oceana.org

Press Inquiries
+1(202)-833-3900
press@oceana.org

OCEANA'S EFFICIENCY

BECOME A WAVEMAKER

Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A DONATION

We have already protected over 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.

Donate Now

QUICK LINKS: