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| Distribution |
As it ranges over a wide range of waters, it can and does occur off the entire NC coast.
Worldwide in all oceans, from the Arctic ice pack to the tropics, to Antarctica. However, it is rare in the north Atlantic, especially so along the coast of the eastern US. |
| Abundance |
Though locally common in some areas of the range, notably in the northeastern Pacific, it is rare in the north Atlantic. Likewise, this is a very rarely seen marine mammal in NC waters, seldom seen on boat trips, even well offshore. There was a recent observation (and video) of a pod of Killer Whales off Oregon Inlet in 2011. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History mammal collections database (2021) lists just one stranding record for NC, in 1926. Thus, the species has certainly declined in western Atlantic waters in the past several decades, as search efforts along the beaches for strandings have greatly increased in the past few decades years. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Presumably occurs year-round. The only stranding reported in Webster et al. (1995) seems to be in March. The pod mentioned above was also seen in March. |
| Habitat |
Highly varied around the globe, but most numerous fairly close to shore, at least in the northeastern Pacific, and possibly also in the Atlantic. Thus, perhaps more likely to occur in NC waters over the Continental Shelf than beyond the Continental Slope. However, much more information is needed. |
| Behavior |
This species occurs strictly in fairly small pods, which are family groups. They are quite animated, with much leaping out of the water, and with spectacular chases of prey, often true whale species. (Reminder -- the Killer Whale is a dolphin, not a whale.) They are not afraid of boats, and they can be approached fairly closely, on those rare occasions off the NC coast when they are encountered. |
| Comments |
Spotting a Killer Whale in NC waters is quite a rare event. In fact, it is so scarce that is it poorly known here. Because it is easily recognized from ships and boats offshore, the fact that there are so very few observations in NC waters, especially in recent decades, indicates a clear decline in numbers (as with the North Atlantic Right Whale). |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S1M |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G4G5 |
| Federal Status |
E |
| subspecies |
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| other_comName |
Orca |
| synonym |
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