The Orca (Orcinus orca) is a large cetacean. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The Orca, also known as the Killer Whale, is the largest member of the dolphin family, with males reaching lengths of up to 8m (26ft) long and weighing over six tonnes, with females being smaller. It is easily identifiable by its black-and-white coloration and large dorsal fin, which is larger in males. As their alternative name suggests, orcas are apex predators, with different populations hunting different prey; some orcas will only eat fish, whereas others hunt marine animals including seals, seabirds and even other whales. They use a wide variety of techniques to catch their prey that is often unique to a specific location, such as using waves to wash seals off of ice floes and beaching themselves to catch sea lions at the shoreline. Despite this, wild orcas almost never attack humans.
Orcas inhabit all oceans and they occur in more parts of the world than other aquatic mammals including both open oceans and shallow shores, and both colder and warmer regions, though they are more commonly found in colder waters. Like most dolphins, they live in highly social family groups known as pods and are extremely intelligent. Native Americans respect the animal and have often featured it in totem arts. Tlingit cultures believe the Orca to be their oceanic guardian of food.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The Orca is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Freeform mode, it is available from the start of the game.
Like all marine animals, the Orca is an aquatic animal and requires a large tank. It can also perform in shows and is as such the first show animal available for adoption. It is the focus of the very first Marine Mania scenario and several other show-themed scenarios thereafter.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The Orca is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is unlocked when a zoo reaches a rating of 5 stars, and as such adopting an orca costs $50,000.
The Orca is a tundra animal, but it can also tolerate the pelagic biome (as well as coastal to a lesser extent). Like in the previous game, the Orca is a show animal. It can be taught up to 10 different tricks, ranging from three stars to five stars. Six out of the ten tricks are rated at five stars.
Enrichment & Shelter[]
Orcas, like dolphins, enjoy playing with a Pursuit Ball, and like dolphins they hunt Arctic Cod and Yellowfin Tuna. They can clean themselves with a Clam Bubbler and can also play with the Seal Prey Dummy.
Orcas sleep in a Kelp Bed.
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Trivia[]
- In Zoo Tycoon, orcas will fart if they're unhappy.
- The orca is tied with the Whale Shark for the deepest tank requirement in Zoo Tycoon 2, at a depth of 6 units.
- In Zoo Tycoon 2, orcas are the only animal with texture files that are 1024x512 in pixel dimensions. All other animals use texture files with 512x512 image dimensions.
| Zoo Tycoon 2: Mobile animals | |
|---|---|
| Zoo Tycoon 2: Mobile | African Elephant • Bengal Tiger • Black Rhinoceros • Cheetah • Chimpanzee • Giant Panda • Giraffe • Lion • Lowland Gorilla |
| Marine Mania Mobile | Bottlenose Dolphin • Giant Pacific Octopus • Great White Shark • Green Sea Turtle • Manta Ray • Orca • Rockhopper Penguin |