Largest Ocean Carnivore
Orca

Can You Guess...?

Orca facts

ORCA FACTS:
Scientific Name:
Orcinus orca

Location: Orcas swim in oceans throughout the world, including the polar regions.

Facts: Large male orcas can reach up to 32 feet long and weigh over 10 tons.

The Scientists Who Study this Cool Stuff?
Marine Biologists.

Links:
Smithsonian Institution - Sea Mammals

 



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...Or is it the "Wolves of the Sea": Orca...?

Also known as "Killer Whales", most of us are familiar with them as the attractive and friendly creatures who smile at us from the pool at Sea World or Marine World, even giving "kisses" to their handlers. Considered the largest member of the dolphin family, they possess the second largest brain in the entire animal kingdom. With large males reaching up to 32 feet in length and weighing over 10 tons, Orcas are some of the largest predatory carnivores to roam the seas.

They are found in oceans the world over being as widely distributed as the most familiar

Killer Whales

Listen to the sounds of the killer whale! Click on the "Play" button and hear the "song" of a group, or pod of whales.

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species of creature - humans. We tend not to think of Orcas as being predators of the ocean, but their diet consists of pretty much the same thing as sharks; lots of fish, seals, and sea lions. What many people don't know about killer whales is that the Spanish used to call them, "whale killers" because they have been seen preying upon other whales, including the most immense of all creatures - the Blue Whale!

Although they are enormous predators of the sea, no human has ever been killed by an Orca. They possess a gentle intelligence that permits them to discern other creatures with much greater precision than the Great White. The menu list imprinted in the Orca's brain does not include people and they're very good at making that distinction. In a clash between the Titans of the deep, the Orca and the Great White, there is no contest. Find out about just such an encounter that was documented with video footage and see who's left alive.

Find out who REALLY holds the world record for largest ocean carnivore...

 

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