Orcinus orca
Also known as Orca gladiator, orca whale, killer whale, orca, dwarf killer whale
The orca (Orcinus orca), or killer whale, is a toothed whale and the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. The only extant species in the genus Orcinus, it is recognizable by its distinct pigmentation; being mostly black on top, white on the bottom and having recognizable white eye patches. A cosmopolitan species, it inhabits a wide range of marine environments, from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tropical seas, but is more commonly documented in temperate or cooler coastal waters. Scientists have proposed dividing the global population into races, subspecies, or possibly even species.
AI overview
The orca, also known as the killer whale, is the largest dolphin species and can be identified by its distinctive black-and-white coloring and white eye patches. Found in oceans worldwide from Arctic to tropical waters, it's particularly common in cooler coastal regions, and scientists are still studying whether different orca populations around the globe should be classified as separate subspecies or species.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Species
Data Deficientgrampus
Orcinus orca
SPECIES
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassMammalia
- OrderCetacea
- FamilyDelphinidae
Habitatmarine
Observations10,174
Dieser Artikel beschreibt die Walart. Für das gleichnamige U-Boot siehe Schwertwal (U-Boot). Der (Große) Schwertwal (Orcinus orca), auch Mörderwal, Killerwal, Orca oder Butzkopf (auch Butskopf) genannt, ist eine Art der Wale aus der Familie der Delfine (Delphinidae). Die Art ist weltweit verbreitet, bewohnt jedoch bevorzugt küstennahe Gewässer in höheren Breiten. Schwertwale sind soziale Tiere, die eine komplexe Populationsstruktur aufweisen. Die kleinste Einheit ist die Mutterlinie, ein sehr enger Verband von mütterlicherseits verwandten Walen. Sowohl auf der Ebene der Mutterlinie als auch auf höheren Populationsebenen lässt sich eine Weitergabe von bestimmten Jagdtaktiken und Lautäußerungen an Jungtiere beobachten, was zuweilen als Kultur bewertet wird. Die weltweite Schwertwalpopulation lässt sich in verschiedene Ökotypen aufteilen, die sich in ihrem Körperbau, ihren Lautäußerungen und in ihrem Verhalten unterscheiden. Ob die Ökotypen einzelne Arten darstellen, ist Gegenstand wissenschaftlicher Diskussionen – insbesondere ist jedoch auffallend, dass sich Mitglieder verschiedener Ökotypen nicht kreuzen. DNA-Analysen aus dem Jahr 2010 legen nahe, dass mehrere Arten und Unterarten
Article
32 sectionsContents
- Naming
- Taxonomy
- Types
- Characteristics
- Range and habitat
- Population
- Feeding
- Fish
- Mammals and birds
- Behaviour
- Social structure
- Vocalizations
- Intelligence
- Life cycle
- Conservation
- Relationship with humans
- Indigenous cultures
- Attacks by wild orcas on humans and animals
- Orca attacks on sailboats and small vessels
- Attacks on humans by captive orcas
- Human attacks on orcas
- Modern Western attitudes
- Whaling
- Cooperation with humans
- Whale watching
- Captivity
- See also
- Footnotes
- References
- Works cited
- Further reading
- External links
The orca (Orcinus orca), or killer whale, is a toothed whale and the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. The only extant species in the genus Orcinus, it is recognizable by its distinct pigmentation; being mostly black on top, white on the bottom and having recognizable white eye patches. A cosmopolitan species, it inhabits a wide range of marine environments, from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tropical seas, but is more commonly documented in temperate or cooler coastal waters. Scientists have proposed dividing the global population into races, subspecies, or possibly even species.
Orcas are apex predators with a diverse diet. Individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey, including bony fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals such as seals, dolphins, and whales. They are highly social, with some populations forming stable matrilineal family groups (pods). Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviors, often unique to specific groups and passed down from generation to generation, are considered to be manifestations of animal culture. The most studied populations are off the west coast of North America, which include fish-eating "residents", mammal-eating "transients", and offshores.