What Eats Killer Whales?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 26, 2020

The killer whale is a top-level predator and has no natural enemies. However, diseased or injured killer whales may fall prey to other top-level predators of the sea.

While the killer whale is rarely prey, it preys on many other animals, including fish, sea lions, squid, dolphins, penguins, porpoises and seals. The killer whale has also been known to prey upon large whales, including the blue whale. There has never been a known case of a wild killer whale taking a human life.

Killer whales hunt cooperatively within pods. There have also been documented instances of killer whales sliding onto beaches in pursuit of prey.