The killer whale, also known as the orca, is one of the ocean’s most recognizable predators. This fearsome marine mammal is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae) – and therefore closely related to familiar ocean animals such as the bottlenose dolphin.
The killer whale has the scientific name Orcinus orca and belongs to the mammalian infraorder Cetacea, which contains all of the world’s whales, dolphins and porpoises.
With its bold black-and-white pattern, complex social life, and flexible hunting strategies, the orca has captivated people around the world for centuries.
On this page is a complete guide to this intelligent apex predator.
