Old Tom (orca)

Old Tom (c. 1895 – 17 September 1930) was a killer whale (orca) known to whalers in the port of Eden, New South Wales, on the southeast coast of Australia. Old Tom measured 22 feet (6.7 m) and weighed 6 tons, with a 3.33 ft (1.01 m) skull and teeth about 5.31 inches (135 mm) long.

For the Northwest Atlantic orca frequently seen in the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine, see Old Thom (orca).

Old Tom
SpeciesOrcinus orca
SexMale
Died1930
Years active1895-1930

Old Tom was thought to be the leader of a pod of killer whales which helped the whalers by herding baleen whales into Twofold Bay. This pod was also known as "the killers of Eden".

On 17 September 1930, Old Tom was found dead in Twofold Bay. Before his death, he had been thought to be over 90 years old, assisting three generations of the Davidson family when whaling. Examination of his teeth indicated he died around age 35, but this method of age determination is now believed to be inaccurate for older animals.

Old Tom's bones were preserved and his skeleton is now on display in the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

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