Killer Whale (Orca)

Orcinus orca

'Resident' Killer Whale pod offshore of Turn Point Lighthouse, Stuart Island, Washington, USA

The Killer Whale, or Orca, is the largest member of the dolphin family and mature males can reach lengths of just under 10m and weigh around 9000kg. 

Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca)

The classification of the Killer Whale is currently under review and, according to a 2008 report by the IUCN, there is a high chance that it will be separated in to several distinct species, or at least subspecies. Genetic evidence from blood samples and biopsies has revealed the last time the two 'forms' interbred could be as long ago as 10,000 years.

male Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

Resident Killer Whales (above) can easily be separated from the migratory Transient Killer Whales (below) by having black markings bisecting the pale patch behind the dorsal fin.  Apart from their morphological differences they are also behaviourally distinct in that they eat a diet which almost exclusively consists of salmon, especially large Chinook Salmon, whereas the Transient Killer Whales exclusively hunt marine mammals such as dolphins, porpoises and seals.

'Transient' Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

Killer Whales tend to stay relatively close to shore and are found in all the oceans and connecting seas of the world, although they are considerably more abundant in the colder waters of the polar regions.

Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca)

Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca)

'Transient' Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

'Transient' Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)