11 Killer Whale Facts (Why They’re The Ocean’s Apex Predator)

Get ready to learn about the lives of Orca whales, or as they’re more commonly known, Killer Whales. Contrary to what their name implies, orcas aren’t actually whales but the largest dolphin species. These marine giants have the intelligence of a 15-16 year old human. This intelligence is demonstrated through hunting techniques, communication, and intrigue.

Expert Hunters

Killer whales dominate the marine world with their incredibly varied food preference. They can eat fish, cephalopods, marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and even other cetaceans. These animals are extremely versatile predators – a key feature of apex predators in any ecosystem. Their diet preference depends on their habitat – orcas in the eastern North Pacific generally feast on Chinook Salmon, while those in the Eastern Canadian Arctic prefer belugas and narwhals. Over in Greenland, seals are their main food.

Mischievous Delinquents

The killer whale’s intelligence isn’t just reflected in their hunting strategies. They are among the most intellectually curious of all cetaceans, engaging in play and object manipulation. These activities help develop their problem-solving skills and coordination. In fact, they don’t view humans as preybut rather as creatures of interest, and sometimes even brush up against and nudge boats (a display of curiosity or playfulness). 

Heart of Ice

In the freezing Arctic, humans have observed orcas attacking beluga whales and narwhals stuck in pools surrounded by sea ice. And these aren’t the only cases of orca strategic planning – when they hunt seals that have climbed on top of an ice floe, an orca pack will charge at the floe, creating huge waves. The moment they’re in reach of the ice they’ll dive under the floe, causing one final wave with their tails, dumping the seals in the water. 

Killer Whales Can Prey on Larger Species

Size doesn’t deter a hungry killer whale. Orcas are known to prey on much larger species, such as sperm whales, grey whales, humpback whales, and minke whales. When they hunt these larger species, they’ll often band together and try to target the calves or females, but especially calves, as they are still relatively small and fatigue much quicker. They very rarely go for the larger males. 

Chasing to Exhaustion

When hunting smaller dolphin and porpoise species, killer whales will try to exhaust them. They relentlessly chase their prey, tiring them out, before launching the fatal strike. Such a sophisticated hunting technique speaks volumes about their predatory prowess. This chase can last up to 30 minutes at a constant speed of 12 feet per second – endurance that their prey simply cannot match. 

Living With Family

Orcas live in what’s called ‘pods’. They create a strong communal structure, often consisting of a mother and her offspring. These pods include multiple generations and they’re incredibly stable. This is unusual for most animal species, the offspring are left to fend for themselves. But in the case of orcas, their familial bond enables them to transfer knowledge and skills to their young, who will do the same, guaranteeing generational growth. 

Playing With Prey

Only a few species on Earth are known to ‘play with their prey’ and the orca is one such species. They have been seen disabling their prey, like seals or fish, in a variety of ways before going in for the kill. These include ramming them at full speed and hitting them with their powerful tails. This ‘playing with prey’ activity potentially serves a practical purpose – teaching young Orcas vital hunting techniques and strategies.

Enclosed Viciousness

Known for their incredible intelligence, these marine predators undergo severe emotional distress and increased aggression when trapped within unnatural, restrictive environments. A prime example of this is Tilikum, an Orca that belonged to SeaWorld who turned on his trainer due to stress, fear, anxiety, depression, and other emotions that he exhibited prior to the incident. It was also not an isolated incident. This is in stark contrast of their behavior toward humans in the wild. 

Long Lived

The lifespan of killer whales varies between genders. Males typically live up to a maximum of 60 years, with the average lifespan being 30. Meanwhile, females usually outlive the males, frequently reaching ages over 50 years and can live up to 90. The oldest orca on record was J2 who lived up to a ripe old age of 105! The reasons for this significant difference in lifespan are still unknown. 

Trend-Setting Predators

Individual killer whale pods often develop their own unique hunting techniques, demonstrating cultural learning within the species. This social transmission of knowledge has been observed in few other species (including humans), highlighting the complexity of killer whale social structures. This also applies to how two pods see each other – even during hunts, if a pod comes across another pod, they’ll avoid each other altogether. 

Total Ocean Domination

Killer whales are found all over the world’s oceans, including both cold and warm ecosystems. This global distribution testifies to their adaptability and unrivaled status as the ocean’s apex predator. They have even been observed following prey across one ocean to another, traversing massive distances just so they can have a bite to eat. That dedication is unparalleled in marine life.