Killer Whale - Species Guide - WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Orcinus orca Classification: The orca is the apex predator of the sea and the largest member of the dolphin family.
It is highly intelligent, highly adaptable and able to communicate and coordinate hunting tactics. Not typically a migratory species, orca ‘migrations' are principally in response to changes in favoured prey abundance and can sometimes be long, e.g between Alaska and California. Depending on the type of social group and location, orcas will hunt fish, squid, seals, sea lions, seabirds and even whales much larger than themselves. Appearance: The orca, also known as a killer whale, is distinctive in appearance with a large black body, a white underside, a white patch above and behind the eye, and a grey 'saddle patch' behind the dorsal fin At up to nearly 10 metres long, male orcas are larger than females and have a tall dorsal fin - up to nearly 2 metres in height. Behaviour: Orcas are extremely fast swimmers and have been recorded at speeds of up to 54km/h.
Distribution: Orcas: Facts About Killer Whales. Orcas are often called killer whales.
Though they don't typically attack humans, this name is still well-chosen due to the animal's ability to take down large marine animals, such as sea lions and whales. In fact, orcas will prey on almost any animal they find in the sea, in the air over the water or along the coastline. To hunt, killer whales use their massive teeth, which can grow up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) long. Size Orcas are known for their long dorsal fin (the fin on the animal's back) and black-and-white coloring. According to National Geographic, orcas are considered the largest species of the dolphin family. Habitat Killer whales are the most widely distributed mammals, other than humans, according to Sea World. These animals do not stay in one area and have been documented traveling long distances. Habits Orcas are very social and live in groups called pods, which usually have up to 40 members, according to National Geographic.
Diet Offspring Classification/taxonomy Other facts. Killer Whale (Orcinus Orca) Killer Whales (orca) are found in all the worlds oceans both hot and cold from the freezing waters of the North and South poles to tropical seas.
The killer whale is the biggest member of the dolphin family, and there are about 5 different species of killer whale in the oceans. Killer whales hunt in groups called pods that normally contain from 6 to 40 killer whales. The killer whales hunt larger fish, seal and sea lion and often sea birds and mammals. Killer whales are sadly hunted worldwide for their meat and whale blubber, which is used as an old form of fuel. Due to whaling bans in recent years, the killer whale population can begin to recover again. Orcas (Killer Whales), Orcinus orca ~ MarineBio.org. Orcas (formerly known as killer whales), Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758), are actually dolphins.
And they are the largest of the dolphin family (Family Delphinidae ~ 32 species, including what we normally consider dolphins, pygmy killer whales, Feresa attenuata, and false killer whales, Pseudorca crassiddens). Orcas reach a maximum length of over 9 m and can weigh up to 7,257 kg. Because of their fierce reputation, orca are sometimes called the Ballena asesina ("assassin whale") by the Spanish. Orcinus is probably derived from Orcus , an ancient mythological Roman god of the netherworld—a reference to the ferocious reputation of this animal. Orca are seen usually traveling in pods of between 3-25 individuals, usually including at least one large male (a male is shown in the foreground of the photo above, notice the difference in the shapes of the dorsal fins). Next to humans, orcas are the most widely distributed mammal. Km up the Columbia River in search of fish. m deep. In the ocean. kg. Killer Whale Top Facts - Dolphin Facts and Information.
Killer whale factsKiller whales, also known as Orcas (Orcinus orca) are fascinating creatures that attract a great deal of attention from marine biologists, as well as the general public.
Orcas are Apex predators and adults do not have any other threat in ocean than humans, Research is always being done about Killer Whales, and new facts about their habits, socialization, intelligence, and travel patterns are discovered continuosly. Here are the top facts that make this cetacean so unique to the general public as well as to the scientists. KILLER WHALES (Orcinus orca) - Animal InfoBook.