The
killer whale (
Orcinus orca), also referred to as the
orca whale or
orca, and less commonly as the
blackfish or
grampus, is a
toothed whale belonging to the
oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from
Arctic and
Antarctic regions to tropical seas. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt
marine mammals like
pinnipeds, and even large
whales. They have been known to attack
baleen whale calves. Killer whales are regarded as
apex predators, lacking natural predators.
