Killer whales, or orcas, are apex saltwater predators, swimming through every ocean and dining on a remarkable variety of prey — even slaughtering great white sharks for their livers and killing blue whales. At Live Science, you can learn all about these phenomenal mammals, including why orca males are burnouts and the reason killer whales get sick in captivity. Marvel at extremely rare white killer whales and other exciting sightings with the latest orca news, features and articles from our expert writers and editors.
Discover more about orcas
—Orcas: Facts about killer whales
—Orcas have sunk 3 boats in Europe and appear to be teaching others to do the same. But why?
Latest about Orcas
Orca gang develops brutal hunting strategy to take on the world's largest shark — 'This is a fascinating behaviour'
The orca attacks appear to be led by a large adult male, suggesting that he may be leading the charge on this predatory behavior.
Orcas start wearing dead salmon hats again after ditching the trend for 37 years
Orcas off the coast of Washington State are balancing dead fish on their heads like it's the 1980s, but researchers still aren't sure why they do it.
Orca quiz: Will you sink or swim?
Have a go at our killer whale quiz and find out if you'll make a big splash or a major fail.
Boat-ramming orcas may be using yachts as target practice toys, scientists suggest
Orcas off the coasts of Spain and Portugal may be using boats as targets to practice hunting their favorite food, Atlantic bluefin tuna.
2 young orcas ram sailboat off northern France — 800 miles from 'attack' hotspot
Coastguards had to tow a 40-foot-long sailboat back to port after two young orcas severely damaged the boat's rudder near Guilvinec in the French region of Brittany.
Orcas are eating sharks in the Gulf of California — and it may be happening more than we think, experts say
Records of orcas hunting sharks in the Gulf of California are on the rise, as experts say we may have underestimated how much this happens.
Orcas 'attacking' boats are actually just bored teenagers having fun, experts say
Orcas off the coast of Iberia are spending less time hunting and more time exploring new games thanks to the recent recovery of their favorite prey, Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Orcas have attacked and sunk another boat in Europe — and experts warn there could be more attacks soon
A group of orcas known to attack boats in southwest Europe have sunk a 50-foot sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar after ripping open its hull. It is the fifth time these killer whales have sent a ship to the seafloor in the last three years.
