Orcas
DESCRIPTION
Orcas or otherwise known as the Killer Whale are actually dolphins and are the largest of the dolphin family species. Orcas maximum length can be over 9cm and can weigh up to 7257kg. They are also known by the Spanish as the Ballena asesina (assassin whale). They sometimes kill other whales, hunting them in packs, earning them the title of Killer Whale.
LIFESTYLE/HUNTING TECHNIQUES
The orca shows a wide range of different hunting techniques. Some orcas work together to herd fish, before stunning the prey with strikes from the tail flukes, or join together in coordinated attacks on large whales. Others chase tuna or dolphins for long periods of time, to exhaust their prey, or, while seals or seabirds resting on ice may be knocked into the water by the Orcas creating a wave with their tails. Some Orcas in Argentina have even learnt to intentionally strand themselves on beaches to reach seals and sea lions on the shore, a behaviour that appears to be taught to young. The Orca itself has no natural predators other than humans hunting them. The Orca is a social species, communicating using screams, clicks and whistles, as well as physical behaviours such as breaching, slapping the flippers or tail and bringing their head out of the water.
DIET
Orcas are top-level predators in the ocean. They are the largest predator of warm-blooded animals alive today. Globally, Orcas appear to eat fish or other whales of such, but in many parts of the world, killer whales prey on fishes or marine mammals, but not both. Worldwide, it has been observed that the Orca has preyed on about 140 species of animals, including many species of bony fish, sharks and rays, and 50 different species of marine mammals. Orcas have also been reported having eaten many other types of animals including leatherback startles, dugongs, moose, penguins and other seabirds. Each Orca has a fairly specific diet.
Orcas or otherwise known as the Killer Whale are actually dolphins and are the largest of the dolphin family species. Orcas maximum length can be over 9cm and can weigh up to 7257kg. They are also known by the Spanish as the Ballena asesina (assassin whale). They sometimes kill other whales, hunting them in packs, earning them the title of Killer Whale.
LIFESTYLE/HUNTING TECHNIQUES
The orca shows a wide range of different hunting techniques. Some orcas work together to herd fish, before stunning the prey with strikes from the tail flukes, or join together in coordinated attacks on large whales. Others chase tuna or dolphins for long periods of time, to exhaust their prey, or, while seals or seabirds resting on ice may be knocked into the water by the Orcas creating a wave with their tails. Some Orcas in Argentina have even learnt to intentionally strand themselves on beaches to reach seals and sea lions on the shore, a behaviour that appears to be taught to young. The Orca itself has no natural predators other than humans hunting them. The Orca is a social species, communicating using screams, clicks and whistles, as well as physical behaviours such as breaching, slapping the flippers or tail and bringing their head out of the water.
DIET
Orcas are top-level predators in the ocean. They are the largest predator of warm-blooded animals alive today. Globally, Orcas appear to eat fish or other whales of such, but in many parts of the world, killer whales prey on fishes or marine mammals, but not both. Worldwide, it has been observed that the Orca has preyed on about 140 species of animals, including many species of bony fish, sharks and rays, and 50 different species of marine mammals. Orcas have also been reported having eaten many other types of animals including leatherback startles, dugongs, moose, penguins and other seabirds. Each Orca has a fairly specific diet.