Here's a general estimate:
* Average Male: 6-9 tons (12,000-18,000 pounds)
* Average Female: 3-4 tons (6,000-8,000 pounds)
Important Notes:
* Size Variation: Killer whales are highly sexually dimorphic, meaning males are significantly larger than females.
* Individual Differences: There can be substantial differences in size even within the same sex. For example, some males can reach up to 10 tons (20,000 pounds) in weight.
* Population Differences: Killer whales in different geographic regions may have different average sizes.
Therefore, it's difficult to pinpoint a single "average" weight for killer whales. The figures above provide a general idea, but individual weights can fluctuate significantly.