Thinkabara🐋 Orca (Killer Whale) Facts for Kids
🐾 Mammals Grades K–5
The orca is a meat-eating mammal that lives in the ocean. Despite the name “killer whale,” orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family.
🐋 Orca (Killer Whale) fact file
- Scientific name
- Orcinus orca
- Animal group
- Mammal
- Where it lives
- The ocean
- Habitat
- Every ocean, especially cold waters — including off Washington and Alaska
- Diet
- Carnivore (meat-eater) — Fish, seals, sea lions, squid and even whales
- Size
- About 23 to 32 feet long (males are bigger)
- Weight
- Up to about 12,000–22,000 lb
- Life span
- About 50–80 years
- Status
- Data Deficient (not enough information worldwide)
📏 A big male orca is about as long as a school bus.
⭐ 5 fun facts about orcas
- Despite the name “killer whale,” orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family.
- Orcas live in family groups called pods, often led by the grandmother.
- Different pods have their own calls — almost like local accents.
- Orcas work as a team to hunt, sometimes making waves to wash seals off the ice.
- A male’s back fin can be 6 feet tall.
Where do orcas live?
Wild orcas are found in the ocean. Every ocean, especially cold waters — including off Washington and Alaska. Many aquariums and marine sanctuaries help scientists study and protect them.
What do orcas eat?
Orcas are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. Their menu: fish, seals, sea lions, squid and even whales.
Is the orca endangered?
Status: Data Deficient (not enough information worldwide). Scientists are still learning how many there are in the wild. You can help wild animals by learning about them, saving energy, cutting down on plastic and supporting zoos, aquariums and parks that protect wildlife.
Orca (Killer Whale) quiz
Which animal family do orcas belong to?
What kind of eater is the orca?
What kind of animal is the orca?
Where does the orca live?
✏️ Write about the orca
1. The most surprising fact I learned is…
2. If I could ask an orca one question, I would ask…
3. Draw the orca in its habitat:
🖍️ Draw and color
Dolphins coloring pagesOrca (Killer Whale) questions kids ask
Where do orcas live?
Orcas live in the ocean. Their habitat: Every ocean, especially cold waters — including off Washington and Alaska.
What do orcas eat?
Orcas are carnivores (meat-eater). They eat: Fish, seals, sea lions, squid and even whales.
How big is an orca?
About 23 to 32 feet long (males are bigger). Weight: Up to about 12,000–22,000 lb. A big male orca is about as long as a school bus.
How long do orcas live?
About 50–80 years.
Is the orca endangered?
Its conservation status is: Data Deficient (not enough information worldwide). Scientists are still learning how many there are in the wild.
More mammals
🦁 All 40 wild animals → · 🫧 Make an animal sensory bin → · 🖍️ All coloring pages →