Great white sharks and orcas are popular aquatic animals that are frequently compared. Let us analyze more in this regard.
Great white sharks are a shark species, whereas orcas (also known as killer whales) are from the dolphin family. Each of these animals has a distinct coloration which makes it easy for a commoner to differentiate between them. Although these animals vary greatly, there are several points of comparison between them.
People often ask a host of questions when it comes to great white sharks and orcas. Let us take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions.
Image Credits: “Great White Shark in South Africa” by travelbagltd is marked with CC BY 2.0.
Image credits: “100_6174 Shamu – The Orca DOLPHIN” by Rojer is marked with CC BY 2.0.
What are the differences between great white sharks and orcas?
Great white sharks and orcas are counted among the most dangerous marine creatures. Let us look at some differences between them.
The differences between orcas and great white sharks are numerous. We will delve further into this in later sections of this article.
Are there any similarities between great white sharks and orcas?
While there are several differences between great whites and orcas, there are also a few key similarities. Let us explore more in this regard.
Both great white sharks and orcas have similar swimming speeds. The great whites can easily cover 45-56 kilometers per hour, whereas orcas can cover 48-56 kilometers per hour. In addition, both great white sharks and orcas feed on birds and other marine animals, including small fishes, squid, and also other smaller shark species.
An interesting point of similarity between the two animals is that they are both toothed. As such, biting and chewing on their prey becomes very easy for them.
Will a great white shark win in a fight against an orca?
One question that has often been asked is whether a great white shark can win in a fight against an orca. Let us explore this together.
Great white sharks will not win in a fight against orcas even though they are magnificent animals. This is because orcas are far bigger than them and significantly smarter. The orcas are apex predators and are known to regularly hunt down great white sharks as well as bigger species such as blue whales and fin whales.
Thus, although great whites have a notorious reputation for being a top predator, they are vulnerable to attacks by killer whales.
Great white shark vs. orca appearance
Image Credits: “Great White Shark” by Elias Levy is marked with CC BY 2.0.
Image Credits: “orcas & humpbacks” by Christopher.Michel is marked with CC BY 2.0.
Great white sharks and orcas differ significantly in terms of appearance. Allow us to tell you more in this regard.
Orcas have a distinct black and white appearance with a gray patch on their backs, whereas great white sharks have a patterned combination of various colors that include blue, gray, brown, and black with a white underbelly. Great whites have a pointed snout, whereas orcas have a blunt snout. Besides, orcas are significantly bulkier.
There are several other differences between orcas and great whites. However, their coloration is what stands out and allows a layman to distinguish between these two species.
Great white shark vs. orcas height
Image Credits: “Sea World – Orca Performing” by roger4336 is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.
A major point of difference between great white sharks and orcas is their size, particularly their height. Allow us to tell you more in this regard.
Great white sharks are much smaller than orcas. They grow up to a length of 11 to 13 feet for male species and 15 to 16 feet for female great whites, whereas male orcas grow up to 20 to 26 feet and female species grow up to 16 to 23 feet. The largest female great white measured 20 feet, whereas the largest male orca grew over 32 feet.
The difference in height makes orcas more dangerous, not just towards great white sharks but also all other marine species.
Great white shark vs. orca weight
There is also a significant difference in the weight of great white sharks and orcas. Let us learn more in this regard.
Orcas are large animals who weigh more than great whites. Great white sharks, on average, weigh around 500 to 770 kgs, whereas killer whales can measure up to 3,000 to 4,000 kg. The heaviest great white shark recorded grew up to 1100 kg, whereas the heaviest killer whale recorded grew up to 10,000 kgs.
Their enormous size combined with their foresight and unique, intelligent hunting strategies makes the killer whale one of the most formidable oceanic animals.
Great white shark vs. orca predators
Great white sharks and orcas, despite their formidable reputation, are vulnerable to predators. Let us learn more in this regard.
Orcas are among the most powerful species and are not attacked by other marine species. However, they can be captured by humans for commercial gains. On the other hand, great white sharks fall prey to orcas. Even the great whites are exploited by humans and captured for their oil, fins, cartilage, etc.
Therefore, although powerful, great whites and orcas are not entirely safe in the ocean. In fact, overfishing is one of the chief reasons for the decline of the shark population in oceans across the globe.
Great white shark vs. orca habitat
Image Credits: “Great White Shark” by Elias Levy is marked with CC BY 2.0.
Image Credits: “Bjossa the Orca” by GreyHobbit is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.
An interesting aspect about great whites and killer whales is that they have unique habitat requirements. Let us learn more about them.
Great white sharks prefer occupying temperate waters of coastal regions, whereas orcas are found in all oceans across the globe. You can spot great whites on the coasts of Chile, New Zealand, Southern Australia, Northern Japan, whereas orcas can be especially found on the eastern side of the North Pacific Ocean.
As you might already know, killer whales prefer cooler waters of the Antarctic, whereas great white sharks prefer living in coastal regions where the climate is more temperate in nature.
Great white shark vs. orca diet
Great white sharks and orcas have specific dietary requirements. Allow us to tell you more about them.
Great white sharks are magnificent creatures that feed on sea lions, smaller sharks, seals, porpoises, sea turtles, etc., whereas orcas feed on fishes, squids, octopuses, sea birds, toothed whales, and almost all whale species. Both great whites and orcas are fearsome predators and have a variety of choices when it comes to their prey.
Of course, the amount of food the great whites or orcas consume varies. That being said, they are formidable creatures and bite into their prey using their sharp, pointed teeth.
Great white shark vs. orcas behavior
Great white sharks and orcas also vary in terms of behavior. Let us together learn more in this regard.
The great white sharks are solitary creatures but sometimes travel in pairs across the ocean, whereas orcas are fairly social creatures who enjoy traveling in pods of two to fifteen. During the breeding or feeding season, orcas frequently move around in larger groups.
An interesting point of observation is that orcas and great white sharks are not exactly dangerous to humans. They remain non-aggressive unless provoked. Sometimes, great whites attack humans out of confusion since, to their unaided eye, humans may look like seals.
Conclusion
Great white sharks and orcas are powerful sea creatures with a unique appearance, specific habitat, and diet requirements. Over the years, they have significantly decreased in number due to overfishing and commercial exploitation for gaining their fin, oil, cartilage, and so on. Today, several conservatory steps have been taken by government bodies and environmentalists to ensure the protection of great white sharks and orcas and help maintain the ecological balance in the aquatic ecosystem.
