Killer Whale

• Irish name: An Chráin dhubh
• Latin name: Orcinus orca
• Size: Males 9 m, females 7.9 m
• Diet: Mackerel, herring, salmon, ocean sunfish, seals and other marine mammals

DESCRIPTION:

The largest member of the dolphin family, killer whales have a bulbous head, circular flippers and the tallest dorsal fins. They are sexually dimorphic, so males can easily be distinguished from females with their larger 1.8 m tall dorsal fin. Large white “eye” patches occur along the side of the head along with a pale “saddle” patch behind the dorsal fin. The rest of the body consists of a combination of white along the underside and black along the back.

BEHAVIOUR:

Typically observed cruising slowly and may approach vessels, breach, tail or flipper slap. Spy-hopping may occur while foraging or interacting with boats.

IN IRELAND:

The most well known population of killer whales in Irish waters are the “Scottish West Community Group”, of which the two bulls, John Coe and Aquarius, appear to be the last surviving memebers. Other populations have been seen including offshore killer whales that interact with pelagic trawlers off the northwest coast.