orque vs loup

Orcinus orca compared with Canis lupus

Key Differences

• orque is Data Deficient while loup is Critically Endangered.
• orque is 120.0x heavier than loup.
• orque lives longer (50 years vs 13 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	orque	loup
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mammifères)	Mammalia (mammifères)
Order	Cetacea (Whales & Dolphins)	Carnivora (carnivores)
Family	Delphinidae (Oceanic Dolphins)	Canidae (Dogs & Wolves)
Genus	Orcinus (Orcas)	Canis (Dogs & Wolves)
Species	Orcinus orca	Canis lupus

Evolutionary Relationship

orque and loup share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mammifères)

Conservation Status

orque

DD — Data Deficient

Population: ~50.0K

Trend: Unknown ?

loup

CR — Critically Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	orque	loup
Diet	Carnivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	50 years	13 years
Average Length	8.0 m	1.6 m
Average Weight	5.4 t	45.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

orque

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

loup

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, deserts and xeric shrublands, and tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, among 13 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Seychelles), Asia (Japan), Europe (5 countries), North America (7 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (Marshall Islands, Vanuatu), and South America (5 countries). Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

orque

The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas reach up to 9 meters and 6 tonnes and are found in every ocean from Arctic to Antarctic. Apex predators living in matrilineal pods with distinct dialects, hunting strategies, and cultural traditions that differ between populations. Some populations specialize in fish, others in marine mammals. No natural predators; orcas sit at the top of every marine food chain they inhabit.

loup

The most widely distributed wild canid, gray wolves range from North America across Eurasia in diverse habitats including tundra, forests, and grasslands. Highly social animals living in family packs led by a dominant breeding pair. As keystone predators, wolves regulate prey populations and profoundly shape ecosystem structure, as demonstrated by their reintroduction in Yellowstone. Once heavily persecuted, populations are recovering in many regions.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇨🇴 Colombia 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden