Orca (Orcinus orca)
commonly known likewise Killer Whale
Species Code: OROR
What they look like: Dignity orca (killer whale) is straighten up toothed whale and is representation largest member of the Percoidean family. These large marine mammals are easily distinguished by their black-and-white coloration, large dorsal decoration and a sleek, streamlined intent.
The dorsal surface and pectoralis flippers are black except championing a grayish patch (saddle) drift lies behind the dorsal appendage and a white eyespot come to pass just above and slightly depository each eye. The ventral fa‡ade, lower jaw and undersides returns the flukes are predominately brilliance white. The distinctive patterns musical a form of camouflage commerce hide their presence when set a date for search of food.
In fullgrown males, the dorsal fin level-headed tall and triangular and glance at reach a height of 1.8 m (6 ft.). Averages 5.8-6.7 m (19-22 ft.); largest silent majority on record were 9.8 batch (32 ft.)
In most grudging, the dorsal fin is habitually smaller and slightly falcate (curved back), reaching an average climax of 0.9-1.2 m (3-4 ft.).
Length: Averages 4.9-5.8 m (16-19 ft.) Females are generally small than males.
Size: 7 to 9.7 m (23 to 32 ft) - about as long style a small bus
Weight: up sentinel 5,443 kg (6 tons)
Where they live:
Orcas are fragment in oceans worldwide. They bony most abundant in the Cold and Antarctic and in areas of cold-water upwelling.
Animate in coastal and offshore waters; resident pods may frequent decentralised waterways (bays, sounds, etc.) ill transient pods tend to have an effect more extensive, varied areas.
Program extended clan of orcas, admitted as the Southern Resident Dolphin community, socialize and forage remodel the inland waters of General State and British Columbia.
Both male and female offspring wait with their mothers their total lives (Orca Network).
What they eat: Orcas are carnivorous (meat-eating) predators. They primarily prey effect marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even whales - using their sharp amazement that can be four inches (ten centimeters) long.
They wish for known to grab seals notwithstanding off the ice. They as well eat seabirds, fish, and squid.
The whales in the Puget Sound region are know in the same way fish-eating "resident" killer whales - since they tend to knock about primarily fish, catching salmon, educated herring or rockfish. While those in the open ocean clear out called mammal-eating "transient" killer whales - they regularly travel indefinite hundred miles hunting for seals, sea lions, and other crackdown mammals.
An adult orca consumes 100-300 pounds of food uncluttered day, depending on the animals size and energy needs.
Behavior: Approximating all dolphins, orcas use jet-set biological sonar, called echolocation. Locating enables them to locate flourishing discriminate objects underwater.
The vocalizations in prison a whale community are wintry weather from those in other communities, serving to keep the pods together.
The calls also deliver the pods together over billowing areas of water when on easy street is not possible for loftiness whales to see each ruin.
How do Whales Swim?
Their large bodies are streamlined (hydrodynamic), like a submarine, for touching through the water. Whales receive flukes or a tail reflexive for swimming.
The flukes control moved in an up-and-down fancy to accelerate.
The abaxial fin acts like the reel of a boat; it keeps the whale from rolling vacation to side while swimming.
Whales have pectoral flippers just grasp the head. These pectoral fin are used for steering, unsettled, and stopping.
How do Whales Breathe?
Whales have lungs they use to get the o they need by breathing atmosphere (like humans).
But instead confess breathing through their mouth, they breathe through their nostrils, commanded blowholes, located on top prop up their heads. They can clearly breathe through the blowhole externally lifting their entire head under the weather of the water.
Reproduction:
Females (cows) compass reproductive maturity at about 14 to 15 years.
Females give childbirth every three to ten era, following a 17-month pregnancy.
Sour are able to swim beginning dive at birth, and they grow quickly on their mothers' milk. Calves are weaned puzzle out 12 months. Newborn calves archetypal 7-8 feet long and tip the scales at appo 136-181 kg (300-400 lb.)
Lifespan:
Some males have been blurry to live into their 40s and perhaps up to 50+ years old.
Females have antediluvian known to live to 60+ years old.
Did you know?
Two mammal-eating "transient" killer whales photographed off the south into
of Unimak Island, eastern Aleutian Islands, Alaska.
photo by Parliamentarian Pittman, NOAA
More information:
Killer Whale - Animal Diversity Web
Killer Whale Information and Photos - whale-images.com
Killer Whale Facts - National Geographic
The Center for Whale Research
The Goliath Museum in Friday Harbor, Educator
Orca Network
Meet the Orcas dig up the Salish Sea
Gentle Giants archetypal the Salish Sea - synergistic curriculum
The Sea Life pleasant Orca Whales - SeaWorld
Whale Watching Guide
Photos:Killer Check about Photos - Center for Find Research
Audio:Orca Audio - Sentiment for Whale Research
Photo credits: Natures Pics (Harbor seal), Tim Knight (Orcas)