🦊

Killer Whale

Orcinus orca

Not yet photographed by the community

Apex predator; distinctive white patches; seen around Shetland.

Species Profile

Least Concern globally; UK sightings documented but population dynamics in UK waters not formally assessed; listed as a protected species under UK law

Lifespan: 50–90 years in the wild; females typically live longer than males
Size & Weight: Males 7–8 m long, females 6–7 m long; males weigh 5,000–6,000 kg, females 3,000–4,000 kg
Habitat: Cold and temperate ocean waters, including the North Atlantic, preferring coastal and offshore regions with rich fish and marine mammal populations.
UK Distribution: Observed around UK coasts, particularly in Scottish waters, the North Sea, and off the west coast of Scotland; non-resident but increasingly recorded, with sightings more frequent in summer months.
Diet: Apex predator feeding on fish (primarily herring and salmon) and marine mammals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and other cetaceans; diet varies by population.
Prey: Herring, salmon, seals (grey and harbour seals), dolphins, porpoises, and occasionally larger cetaceans
Predators: No natural predators in UK waters as an adult; calves may rarely be vulnerable to large sharks in warmer waters (not applicable to UK)
Mating Season: Year-round, with peaks varying by population; no fixed UK breeding season
Breeding: Single calf born after 17-month gestation; calves remain with mothers for life; females may have 5–6 offspring over their lifetime
Behaviour: Highly intelligent, social predators living in stable matriarchal family groups (pods) with complex vocalizations and hunting strategies. Different populations exhibit distinct dialects and prey preferences. They are known for coordinated cooperative hunting and teaching of hunting techniques across generations.

Did You Know?

•Killer whales are actually the largest members of the dolphin family (Delphinidae), not true whales
•UK waters host at least two distinct populations with different prey preferences and behaviours
•They possess the second-largest brain of any marine mammal and demonstrate problem-solving intelligence comparable to great apes
•Each pod has a unique dialect of clicks and calls passed down through generations, functioning as a cultural marker
•Recent decades have seen increased sightings in UK waters, possibly due to recovery of prey populations and range expansion

🦊

No photos yet

Be the first to photograph a Killer Whale and share it with the community.