Orcas are whales. They are mammals, not fish, which means that they breathe air.

Most orcas live in groups called pods. Most pod members are part of the same family. Orcas stay with the same pod for most of their lives.

Each orca pod has one leader. This is usually an older female who is at least 45 years old. Orcas live between 60–80 years, but some live to be more than 100.

Orcas are very smart. They talk to each other and have names for each other. They work together and help each other.

Orcas eat animals such as fish, sharks, and seals. Some orcas even eat other types of whales.

Orcas swim fast and far. They swim hundreds of miles a day in search of food.

Orcas are very playful. They jump out of the water like acrobats, spinning in the air, and landing with a big splash. They play games with each other, too.

Orcas also play with their food. Sometimes the food is still alive. They grab the food and toss them it the air. They toss the food back and forth to each other. They let the young orcas practice catching the food, which is how orcas learn to hunt. They eat the food when they’re done.