A killer whale is a large, intelligent marine mammal, also called an orca. Despite the name, killer whales aren't actually whales at all: they're the largest members of the dolphin family. They grow up to 30 feet long and can weigh as much as six tons.

Killer whales are apex predators, meaning they sit at the top of the ocean food chain with no natural predators of their own. They hunt in coordinated groups called pods, working together with remarkable intelligence to catch seals, fish, and even other whales. Their black and white coloring makes them instantly recognizable: they have distinctive white patches near their eyes and white undersides.

These animals are incredibly smart. They communicate with each other using unique calls that differ between pods, almost like dialects in human languages. Different orca populations have developed their own hunting techniques, which they teach to their young.

The name “killer whale” likely comes from sailors long ago who witnessed orcas hunting larger whales. They're not usually dangerous to humans in the wild, despite being powerful predators. In fact, there had been no confirmed fatal case of a wild orca killing a person as of the early 2020s.