The fluke

The orca uses its fluke for pushing its bodythrough the water. Its fluke is also called a caudal fin.

The dorsal fin

The orca uses its dorsal fin to steer. A male'sdorsal fin can be six feet (1.8 m) tall. A female orca has a muchsmaller dorsal fin. Scientists can track and study pods of orcas, andbe able to tell one orca from another, because each dorsal fin hasits own special markings.

The eye

The orca can use its eyes for seeing, but they useecholocation for finding their way most of the time because the wateris often dark .

The ear

The orca's ears are small holes behind their eyes.Orcas can hear but it is believed they sense most of the soundsthrough their lower jaws using echolocation.

The saddle

The saddle is a large gray patch on the orca'sback right behind the dorsal fin.

The pectoral flipper

The orcas pectoral flippers are kind of like theirhands. They use them to steer but they also use them to touch eachother and cuddle their babies.

The eyespot

The eyespots are white spots in front of each ofthe eyes.

The rostrum

The orca's rostrum is designed for tearing upmeat. Its teeth are about 3 inches long and very sharp.

Blubber

Orcas have a thick layer of fat called blubber.Blubber helps the orca to keep warm, even in Arctic waters andfreezing temperatures.

Skin

The orca's smooth skin helps them to swim veryfast. Smooth skin causes less friction as they move. Orcas like torub their skin and touch other orcas. Orcas in oceanariums seem tolike to be petted.