Killer Whale
Orcinus orca
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammalia
- Order
- Cetartiodactyla
- Family
- Delphinidae
- Genus
- Orcinus
- Species
- Orcinus orca
The killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca) is the largest member of the dolphin family, instantly recognisable by its black body, white eye patch, white belly and grey saddle behind the dorsal fin. Adult males have a towering dorsal fin that can reach almost 2 m tall.
Orcas are apex predators that hunt in coordinated family groups. Depending on the population they take fish, squid, sharks, rays, sea turtles and other marine mammals, and tropical orcas are known to range widely in search of prey.
In the Philippines killer whales are rare, irregular visitors, with scattered sightings from the Sulu Sea, Bohol Sea and other deep waters. Any encounter is a notable event and is best reported to local researchers.