Orca

Orca Killer whale[1] Temporal range: Pliocene to recent[2] PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Transient orcas near Unimak Island, eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska
5.4 meter (18 foot) female killer whale compared to 1.8 meter (5 foot 11 inches) human scuba diver
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[3]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[4]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Infraorder:	Cetacea
Family:	Delphinidae
Genus:	Orcinus
Species:	O. orca
Binomial name
Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758)[5]
Orcinus orca range
Synonyms
Delphinus orca Linnaeus, 1758 Delphinus gladiator Bonnaterre, 1789 Orca gladiator (Bonnaterre, 1789)

The orca (Orcinus orca), or killer whale, is a toothed whale and the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. It is the only extant species in the genus Orcinus and is recognizable by its black-and-white patterned body. A cosmopolitan species, they are found in diverse marine environments, from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tropical seas.

Orcas are apex predators with a diverse diet. Individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. This includes a variety of fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals such as seals and other dolphins and whales. They are highly social; some populations are composed of highly stable matrilineal family groups (pods). Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviors, often specific to a particular group and passed along from generation to generation, are considered to be manifestations of animal culture.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature assesses the orca's conservation status as data deficient because of the likelihood that two or more orca types are separate species. Some local populations are considered threatened or endangered due to prey depletion, habitat loss, pollution (by PCBs), capture for marine mammal parks, and conflicts with human fisheries. In late 2005, the southern resident orcas were placed on the U.S. Endangered Species list.

Orcas are not usually a threat to humans, and no fatal attack has ever been documented in their natural habitat. There have been cases of captive orcas killing or injuring their handlers at marine theme parks. Orcas also feature strongly in the mythologies of indigenous cultures, and their reputation in different cultures ranges from being the souls of humans to merciless killers.