The Insane Biology of: The Orca

Orcas possess the second-largest brains in the animal kingdom (after sperm whales) at 5.4-6.8 kg, with the world’s most gyrified (wrinkled/folded) cortex and extremely developed insular cortex suggesting emotional intelligence paralleling humans.

Orcas possess learned (not genetically predetermined) vocalizations forming pod-specific dialects so distinct that each pod has its own collection of calls maintained unchanged for decades, with resident versus transient populations using completely different communication strategies.

Orcas use astoundingly precise echolocation to detect fish at 500+ feet (far beyond visual range in murky water) and can differentiate acoustic signatures of different species’ swim bladders to hunt exclusively preferred prey like chinook salmon.

Orcas (Orcinus orca, “god of the underworld”) are the largest dolphins and ocean apex predators, descended from land-dwelling wolf-sized Pakicetus 50 million years ago, now the most widespread creature globally after humans.

Argentine coast orcas possess “perhaps the most startling tradition of all”—intentionally beaching themselves to snatch sea lions from shore, with only 13 of 30 orcas mastering this technique through years of rigorous female-led teaching.

Orca pods possess cultures as rich and varied as humans’, with group identity so profound that scientists believe orcas are the only non-human organism whose evolution is driven by culture—distinct enough that transient and resident populations are becoming separate species.