The dorsal fin of an orca (the fin on its back) is made individual through shape, size, distinctive nicks and scars. Orcas might look all the same to you but they have unique markings and dorsal fin shapes. Holding an orca in captivity may shorten its life by 25 years or more. In the wild, left to their devices, orcas can live to the healthy old age of 80. The average lifespan of an orca is 50 years.
A recent study found that males were eight times more likely to die in the year following their mother’s death. Orcas are also very social animals and most will spend their whole life in a family group led by an older female. Females can weigh as much as 5000kg while males can top 9000kg! (4) They’re family-oriented creatures Some orcas have been known to eat as much as 200kg of food a day. Orcas eat just about everything – whales, seabirds, sharks, turtles, fish, squid and even dolphins. (3) Orcas eat a wide variety of food and a lot of it!
