Old Thom (orca)
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 | |
| Species | Orcinus orca |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Years active | 2006–present |
Old Thom is a male North Atlantic killer whale (orca) known for being the only killer whale to regularly be sighted in the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy. Often referred to as a loner, the whale has never been seen with other orcas, but is often accompanied by Atlantic white-sided dolphins, who seem to feed alongside the orca.[1] The orca has received considerable media attention for its visits to Cape Cod throughout the late 2010s and 2020s.[2]
Old Thom is a large bull orca, and is estimated to be 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 m) long, with an estimated weight of 8 short tons (7.3 t).[3][4] The dorsal fin is estimated to be about 6 feet (1.8 m) high.[5] The whale is identified by a distinct notch a third of the way down the posterior side of the dorsal fin.