FWS Focus

Overview

Killer Whales are distinctively marked, with a black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eye. Calves are born with a yellowish or orange tint, which fades to white. Killer Whales have a heavy and stocky body and a large dorsal fin with a dark grey "saddle patch" at the fin's rear. Males can be up to 9.5 m long (31 ft) and weigh in excess of 6 tonnes; it has been reported that especially large males have reached nearer 8 tonnes. Females are smaller, reaching up to 8.5 m (28 ft) and a weight of about 5 tonnes. The longest Killer Whale ever recorded was a male from Washington state, measuring 9.8 m (32 ft). Calves at birth weigh about 180 kg and are about 2.4 m long (8 ft). The Killer Whale's large size and strength make them the fastest marine mammals, often reaching speeds in excess of 56 km/h (35mph).

Scientific Name

Orcinus orca
Common Name
Killer Whale
orca
FWS Category
Mammals
Kingdom

Location in Taxonomic Tree

Genus

Identification Numbers

TSN:

Geography

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Timeline

Explore the information available for this taxon's timeline. You can select an event on the timeline to view more information, or cycle through the content available in the carousel below.

3 Items

Listing

Critical Habitat

Listing

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Listing

Nov 18, 2005

Nov 18, 2005 Listing (Endangered)
NMFS: Endangered Status for Southern Resident Killer Whales
  • Publication type: Final
Item 1

Critical Habitat

Nov 29, 2006

Nov 29, 2006 Critical Habitat
Designation of Critical Habitat for Southern Resident Killer Whale (NMFS): Final rule.
  • Publication type: Final
Item 2

Listing

Apr 4, 2007

Apr 4, 2007 Listing (Endangered)
Adding Four Marine Taxa to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Southern Distinct Populat…
  • Publication type: Final
Item 3