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
Orcas off Antarctica filmed teaching calves to hunt in incredible new footage
The adult orcas swam around the ice demonstrating how to pull a seal off by its tail.
Orcas: Facts about killer whales
Discover interesting facts about orcas, the deadly and beautiful predators that lurk in every ocean.
Grieving orca mom carries dead calf around on her head for a 2nd time
An orca famous for carrying a dead calf around has once again been spotted with a deceased newborn on her head in Puget Sound, but there's some good news for her endangered southern resident killer whale pod.
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?
Quiz 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.
