Often called "killer whale," the big, black and white Orca is actually a dolphin, the world's largest, and the icon of Puget Sound. Orcas leaping and chasing salmon are a sight to remember!

Three pods, or families, of orcas live in Puget Sound, and they've captured the hearts of Washingtonians. Other orcas hunt seals, but these Puget Sound residents depend on salmon.

Researchers identify each Orca by the fin on its back and the white patch behind that fin. Every Orca has a distinct personality and is given a name: Granny, Ruffles, Oreo. This big dolphin is very social, and pod members communicate with unique calls. They also use sound pulses to navigate and to locate and catch salmon.

In each pod the oldest female is the leader. She maintains the behaviors that form the pod's particular culture. Male and female offspring stay with their mothers for life, 90 years for females and 60 for males.

People come from all over the world to see Puget Sound's Orcas. Watch them from a distance because human presence does affect Orcas. Boats getting too close, approaching too fast or making too much noise disrupts their lives. Orcas need space and quiet to find food, choose mates, raise young, socialize and rest.

Orcas depend totally on a healthy marine ecosystem. They weigh up to 8 tons, and every day each one needs hundreds of pounds of fish. As salmon decrease Orcas must swim further in search of food. Toxins washing into the ocean from the land affect their health. Let's all minimize our impact to keep water clean and protect the magnificent Orca.