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Species Identification Guide
Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
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Length:
2.06-2.50m/6.8-8.2ft (newborn); 4.5-6.6(8.5)m/14.8-21.8(28.0)ft (adult female); 5.7-9.5(9.75)m/18.8-31.3(32.2)ft (adult male).
Head and Beak:
The Killer Whale has a conical shaped head with indistinct beak.
Fin and Markings:
Orcinus orca have a very tall (up to 1.8m), triangular and erect dorsal fin (sometimes tilted forwards) - adult male; smaller, distinctly curved fin - female and immature. Killer Whales have black back and sides, white belly extending as backwards-pointin
ID:
Conspicuous black & white coloration and tall dorsal fin are Characteristic of Orcinus orca.
Status and Distribution:
Killer Whales are widely distributed on the Atlantic seaboard of Northern Europe, mainly around Iceland, the Lofoten Islands and off Andenes in Western Norway, and in Northern Scotland, but occasionally seen south to the Iberian Peninsula and east into the Mediterranean Sea. Orcinus orca are recorded in all months of the year, but in western Britain mainly between April and October.
View detailed distribution maps
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Media
Download Killer Whale movie
Download Killer Whale sounds