Killer Whale Trivia: 33 Trivia Questions and Answers about the Ocean’s Apex Predator

Did you know killer whales can communicate using unique “dialects” that vary between pods, almost like underwater languages? These ocean giants aren’t just fierce predators—they’re complex social beings with surprising talents, from stealthy hunting tactics to remarkable intelligence. Here are 33 trivia questions and answers to explore the mysterious world of the ocean’s apex predator like never before. Ready to test your knowledge and discover what makes killer whales truly extraordinary?

Killer Whale Quiz and Trivia Questions (With Answers)

1. Question: Although orcas are often called killer whales, what type of marine animal are they actually classified as?
Answer: Orcas are dolphins—the largest species of dolphin.

2. Question: What is the taxonomic family name that orcas belong to?
Answer: Delphinidae.

3. Question: What is the maximum lifespan of an orca, and which sex generally lives longer?
Answer: Orcas can live up to 90 years, and females usually live longer than males.

4. Question: How long is the gestation period for an orca?
Answer: About 17 months.

5. Question: What other marine mammals also lack a sense of smell, like the orca?
A. Only humpback whales
B. Seals and sea lions
C. All dolphins and most toothed whales
D. Sharks and rays
Answer: ✅ C. All dolphins and most toothed whales

6. Question: Which sex of orca is usually larger?
Answer: Males are usually larger than females.

7. Question: What is the term for the social groups orcas live and travel in?
Answer: Pods.

8. Question: How many orcas can a pod typically include?
Answer: Up to 40 orcas.

9. Question: What sensory ability do orcas use to detect objects and prey around them?
Answer: Echolocation.

10. Question: How long can a killer whale’s tooth grow to be in adulthood?
Answer: Up to 4 inches long.

11. Question: What type of blood do orcas have, and how do they feed their young?
Answer: Orcas have warm blood and nurse their calves with milk.

12. Question: At what age do female and male orcas typically start breeding?
Answer: Females start breeding around 6–10 years old; males around 10–13 years old.

13. Question: What is the typical length of a killer whale’s pregnancy?
Answer: Between 15 and 18 months.

14. Question: How often do female orcas typically give birth?
Answer: Every 3–5 years, though it can sometimes be up to 10 years between births.

15. Question: Name the three species known to experience menopause.
A. Humans, dolphins, and blue whales
B. Humans, pilot whales, and killer whales
C. Elephants, humans, and orcas
D. Gorillas, dolphins, and humans
Answer: ✅ B. Humans, pilot whales, and killer whales

16. Question: During which season is orca breeding most common?
Answer: Summer.

17. Question: What is the only marine mammal with a brain larger than that of an orca?
Answer: The sperm whale.

18. Question: How much can an orca’s brain weigh?
Answer: Up to 15 pounds.

19. Question: What is the orca’s brain-to-body weight ratio compared to other animals?
Answer: It is about 2.5 times larger than the average.

20. Question: How fast can orcas swim, making them one of the fastest marine mammals?
Answer: Up to 30 knots, or 34 miles per hour.

21. Question: How do orcas communicate with each other?
A. Through body language only
B. By emitting light pulses
C. Through clicks, whistles, pulsed calls, squeals, squeaks, and screams
D. Using scent markers
Answer: ✅ C. Through clicks, whistles, pulsed calls, squeals, squeaks, and screams

22. Question: What unique feature do orcas have when it comes to their communication?
Answer: Each family group has its own distinct language.

23. Question: How much food do adult orcas eat daily in relation to their body weight?
Answer: Around 3–4% of their body weight.

24. Question: What is the typical size range for orcas in terms of length and weight?
Answer: Orcas measure between 5.5 to 9.8 meters and weigh up to 5,500 kilograms.

25. Question: How tall can a male orca’s dorsal fin grow, and how does it compare to other cetaceans?
Answer: Up to 1.8 meters, making it the tallest of all cetaceans.

26. Question: What is one way pods of orcas hunt fish more effectively?
Answer: By herding fish into a single area.

27. Question: Around what age do female killer whales typically begin menopause?
Answer: Around 40 years old.

28. Question: What is the typical lifespan of a female killer whale?
Answer: Up to 90 years old.

29. Question: Why are killer whales considered apex predators?
Answer: They have no natural animal predators.

30. Question: What stealth tactic do killer whales use before beaching to catch prey?
Answer: They swim sideways to hide their large dorsal fins.

31. Question: Why don’t orcas rely on a sense of smell to locate prey?
Answer: Because they lack an olfactory system and instead use echolocation.

32. Question: What unusual way do orcas sleep that allows them to continue breathing?
Answer: They use unihemispheric sleep, where one half of the brain sleeps while the other stays awake to control breathing.

33. Question: In what types of environments can orcas be found around the world?
A. Only in warm tropical waters
B. Only in the Arctic and Antarctic
C. In oceans and lakes only
D. From polar regions to equatorial waters, and even in freshwater rivers
Answer: ✅ D. From polar regions to equatorial waters, and even in freshwater rivers