Kids
The orca, or killer whale, is a highly recognizable species that is known for its iconic black and white colouring.
Common name: Orca or killer whale
Scientific name: Orcinus orca
Kwakʼwala name: maxinuxw
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Group name: Pod
Average weight: 7 tonnes to 9 tonnes
Average length: 7 meters to 9 meters
COSEWIC Status: No status
The orca is not actually a whale, it is the largest member of the dolphin family.
Orcas have a distinctive black and white colouring and long, rounded bodies. In full grown males, the dorsal fin sticks straight up, usually to a height of 1.8 metres. In females and young whales, the dorsal fin is curved and usually less than one metre high. Behind the dorsal fin is a grey area called a saddle patch. The shape of the dorsal fin and saddle patch, as well as the marks and scars on them are unique to each orca.
Orcas live in groups, called pods, of two to 30 individuals. Each pod communicates using its own unique sounds that its members can identify from a distance. Orcas of both sexes often remain with their parents for life.
To the Kwakwaka’wakw people of parts of Vancouver Island, Queen Charlotte Strait, Johnstone Strait and the central B.C. coast, when fishermen die, their souls turn into orcas (and vice versa). As such, Kwakwaka’wakw fishermen must follow special rituals when harvesting an orca to ensure its spirit can be reborn.
Orcas are carnivores, and eat a variety of prey from marine mammals to fish. They have also been known to eat seabirds and turtles.
Orcas are found in all three of Canada’s oceans, but are most common off the southern coast of British Columbia. They are becoming increasingly common in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans due to warming water temperatures caused by climate change.
Wildlife
When one of the few remaining females of reproductive age in the southern resident population of North Pacific killer whales was found dead near Comox B.C. in 2014, an investigation was launched. The results highlight the challenges of protecting our most iconic marine mammals.
Wildlife
In the 1990s, an abrupt decline in the fish-eating southern resident population dropped to 75 whales from 98
Wildlife
After a series of mass deaths in recent years, what can we do?
Wildlife
Are icebreakers ruining narwhals’ summer getaway? Plus, Montreal’s whale-ward minkes, Canada’s first North Atlantic right whale visit of the year, a new K pod baby, and humpback and orca continue to clash