Orca: The KIller Whale – the largest dolphins in existence
Orcas are found in all oceans but are most common in cold waters. One of the top predators of the sea, orcas feed on fish, small marine mammals, birds and even some slower-moving large whales. The largest member of the dolphin family, these giants need to consume up to five percent of their body weight every day. Formidable as they are, orcas are still at risk from pollution, disease and declining food stocks.
- maximum recorded lifespan 90 years (in the wild)
- length male 20 to 26 feet
- length female 16 to 23 feet
- maximum recorded length male 32 feet
- maximum recorded length female 28 feet
- weight male 6 tons
- weight female 3 to 4 tons
- maximum recorded weight male 10 tons
- maximum recorded weight female 7.5 tons
- breath rate 1.1 per minute; human: 11 per minute
- single breath volume 2800 cubic inches (human: 31 cubic inches)
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