Orcas (Orcinus orca)

• Context (IE): A group of orcas sank a 15-metre-long sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar. 

• Often referred to as wolves of the sea, the killer whale, also known as orca, is the ocean’s top predator.
• It is the largest member of the Delphinidae family or dolphins. Known for their intelligence, orcas are highly skilled hunters and can coordinate tactics during hunts.
• They are fast swimmers, reaching speeds up to 54 km per hour.
• Distribution: Found in every ocean in the world, they are the most widely distributed of all cetaceans (whales and dolphins). They are found in both open seas and coastal waters.
• Physical description: They have a large black body, a white underside, a white patch above and behind the eye, ‘saddle patch’ behind the dorsal fin.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Data Deficient

Credit: One Green Planet