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Killer Whale Facts
Killer Whale Facts
Name
: Killer Whale
Binomial Name
: Orcinus orca
Lifespan
: Between 50 and 80 years (wild)
Diet
: Carnivorous
Range
: All Major Oceans
Length
: Between 16 and 26 feet
Weight
: Between 3.3 and 6.6 short tons
19 Killer Whale Facts for Kids
A killer whale is a member of the Delphinidae (oceanic dolphin) family.
The killer whale is the largest member of the Delphinidae family.
The binomial name for a killer whale is Orcinus orca.
An adult killer whale can live between 50 and 80 years in the wild.
An adult male killer whale can reach between 20 and 26 feet in length.
An adult male killer whale can weigh more than 13,200 pounds.
An adult female killer whale can reach between 16 and 23 feet in length.
An adult female killer whale can weigh between 6,600 and 8,800 pounds.
Killer whales are carnivorous and considered an apex predator.
Killer whales feed on fish, marine mammals and sometimes other smaller whales.
A male killer whale is called a bull.
A female killer whale is a called a cow.
A young killer whale is called a calf.
A group of killer whales is called a pod or an orca pod.
Killer whale pods can have up to 40 individuals.
Killer whales are sometimes called the wolves of the sea.
Female killer whales give live birth to calves every three to ten years, with a gestation period of about 17 months.
At birth, a killer whale calf can weigh as much as 350 pounds.
The Blackfish film documentary showed the psychological damage that happens to killer whales in captivity.
More Whale Facts
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Killer Whale Pictures
A photo of a pod of orcas (killer whales).
Credit: Unknown
A photo of a killer whale breaching.
Credit: Naturaliste Charters
A photo of a killer whale and a calf.
Credit: Center for Whale Research
Additional Resources on Killer Whales
Killer Whale (Orca) - Oceana
– Explore more about killer whales (orcas) on the Oceana website.
Killer Whale (Orca) - Marine Bio
– Learn more about killer whales on the Marine Bio website.
Killer Whale (Orca) - NOAA Fisheries
– Discover more about killer whales on the NOAA Fisheries website.
Killer Whale (Orca) - Wikipedia
– Find more killer whale facts for kids on the Wikipedia website.