Predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas; SYN. killer, orca, grampus, sea wolf, Orcinus orca.
Or orca toothed whale Orcinus orca of the dolphin family, found in all seas of the world. It is black on top, white below, and grows up to 9 m/30 ft long. It is the only whale that has been observed to prey on other whales, as well as on seals and seabirds.
It has been tamed and trained to perform in sea circuses and has proved to be gentle, friendly, intelligent, and hard working, thus prompting use of its alternate name orca in the US.