The Orca

Orcas, or Killer Whales, are actually the largest members of the dolphin family. The name "killer whale" supposedly came from ancient sailors who saw them hunting other whales. In reality, they’re highly intelligent and social animals that live in tight family groups called pods.

In the Pacific Northwest, there are three main types of orcas: Residents, Transients, and Offshores. They live in the same ocean but act completely differently — Residents eat fish, Transients hunt seals, and Offshores go after sharks and rays. Each group even has its own dialect!

Female orcas can live into their 80s and become leaders after menopause, guiding their pods with knowledge of hunting routes and survival skills. When an older female dies, her family’s survival rate often drops significantly — showing how vital these matriarchs are.

Different orca groups around the world have developed unique hunting methods — from beaching themselves in Argentina to hunt sea lions, to flipping stingrays in New Zealand. Some even hunt great white sharks just for their nutrient-rich livers!

Despite their power, wild orcas have never been known to kill a human. They seem to recognize that we’re not prey. In captivity, however, stress and confinement have led to aggressive incidents. In the wild, they are peaceful giants of the sea.