ORCA (OR KILLER WHALE)
Orcinus Orca
Order
Odontoceti
Family
Delphinidae
Orcas live up to about 60 - 90 years, measure between 5 - 9.8 meters, and weigh between 2.5 and 9.5 tons. The orca is carnivorous, can migrate if food resources become scarce, and feeds on cetaceans, fish, mollusks, turtles, seals, sea lions, seabirds...
The orca is present all around the planet, in all polar to tropical oceans.
Females reach sexual maturity around 10 to 15 years of age. The gestation period lasts about 14 to 18 months, and the female gives birth to a single calf every 3 to 12 years.
- Source : AGOA
Head
Large and rounded, with a very blunt rostrum.
Dorsal Fin & Fins
Dorsal fin curved to the left or right, wide paddle-shaped pectoral fins that can reach 2 meters.
Blow
Visible and bushy, rising to 1 to 2 meters.
Swimming sequence
Dives for up to 17 minutes at times to reach depths of over 250 meters.
Coloration
Black dorsal side, white ventral side from the chin to the anus, oval white spot above and behind the eyes, gray patch or 'saddle' behind the dorsal fin.
