General Description

Body black with a white oval patch behind the eye and white underneath. Dorsal fin triangular (male) or with curved edge (female). Water spray from blowhole sprays low and wide. Up to 10 m long.

Biology

Killer Whales hunt in groups when they are chasing larger prey. They eat fish, squid, sea birds, seals and small whales.

Humans interactions include:
Bio-accumulation of toxins.

Habitat

Open oceans and near seal colonies.

Open water

Distribution guide

Worldwide. Most Australian waters. Potentially near Port Phillip, recorded from Victoria.

Species Group

Mammals › Whales and dolphins

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

Surface Midwater

Max Size

10 m

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

• CITES : Trade restrictions (Appendix II)
• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Data Deficient