Females average 21 feet long and weigh 4 to 6 tons. The worldwide population of orcas is unknown. Orcas live 30 to 50 years in the wild. Found in all oceans of the world, orcas are most common in the Arctic and Antarctic and are often spotted off the west coast of the United States and Canada. Orcas are found in both coastal waters and open ocean.
Orcas feed on fish, squid, birds, and marine mammals.
Orca pods often work together to catch a meal. Orcas are highly social animals that travel in groups called pods. Pods usually consist of 5 to 30 whales, although some pods may combine to form a group of 100 or more. Orcas establish social hierarchies, and pods are lead by females. Orca gestation is 13 to 16 months.