Killer Whale (species: Orcinus orca) in Lizard Island Field Guide (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Lizard Island Field Guide > Marine Life > Marine mammals > Orcinus orca (gallery)
Orcinus orca
Killer Whale


©Andy Lewis: Female or juvenile Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

©Innotata: Male Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Cetacea
Family Delphinidae
Genus Orcinus
Species Orcinus orca
Status insufficient data to assess

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Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

         

Distinguishing features

A large powerful toothed whale, growing to 9 metres, with distinct black and white markings. The head is broad and pointed with a very slight rounded beak. The dorsal fin is extremely tall, up to 1.8 m in males and 0.9 m in females.

Size

  • Up to 900 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Adult

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia: Uncommon in the Lizard Island area.

Web resources

References

  • Baker, A.N. (1983). Whales and Dolphins of New Zealand and Australia: An identification guide Victoria University Press, Wellington, NZ.