Orcas are nicknamed killer whales, but they're actually the largest member of the dolphin family. They live in family pods led by wise grandmothers, share food, and teach their kids clever hunting tricks found nowhere else.
📋 Orca at a glance
⚡ Superpower
Orca families have their own "dialects" — special call patterns passed down like a family language.
🤩 Amazing Orca facts
Orcas are the biggest dolphins in the world, not true whales.
❓ Common questions about orcas
How big is an orca?
Up to 22,000 lb (10,000 kg). Orcas are the biggest dolphins in the world, not true whales.
Where do orcas live?
Orca (Killer Whale)s live in the wild: every ocean, from the arctic to the tropics. They are wild animals and are never kept as pets.
How long do orcas live?
Orca (Killer Whale)s typically live 50–80 years (females longest).
Can you keep an orca as a pet?
No — Orca (Killer Whale)s are wild animals that belong in the wild (every ocean, from the arctic to the tropics), and keeping one would be unsafe and usually illegal. The closest pet you can actually keep is a fish — see our care guide.
Could you keep an orca as a pet?
No — orcas are wild animals that belong in the wild, and keeping one would be unsafe and almost always illegal. But if orcas are your favorite, here's the closest pet you actually can welcome home:
Meet the FishBecause no pet is an orca, but a well-kept aquarium lets you enjoy the underwater world at home.
See care guide →
🎬 See orcas in action
Watch kid-friendly videos about orcas on YouTube.
▶ Watch Orca videos on YouTube