25 Facts On Killer Whales.Killer whale, the “killer whale” that has become the terror of the seas in our imagination. In this article we will explain everything you need to know about this species that comes from dolphins.The orca is also called the killer whale . But is she really that aggressive? Why was such a cute animal given such a nickname? After all, they are so similar to dolphins and very playful too.Killer whales have a complex social organization: females with cubs of both sexes form a family. Several families come together to form a group. The average lifespan of male killer whales reaches 50 years, and females live to a maximum of 80-90 years.
25 Facts On Killer Whales You Must Know.
- It is known as killer whale or whale orca to a mammal marine of the order Cetacea and the same family as dolphins ( Delphinidae ), common in all the oceans of the world. Its body is recognizable for its black (on the back) and white (on the belly) coloration, as well as for being one of the largest and most versatile marine predators in the world.
- Scientific name Orcinus orca , this is the largest known species of dolphin. The species evolved in the Pliocene , around 5.3 million years ago, moving away from the ancestors of today’s dolphins.
- It has a reputation for being a fearsome predator, capable of killing other large carnivores such as the white shark , and at the same time of being a tame and intelligent animal capable of relating, in captivity, in an affectionate way with humans .
- Killer whale hunting was common in 18th century Japan, while the large whaling industries ignored it, given the low amount of oil that can be extracted from their bodies, compared to whales and sperm whales.
- Since the end of the 20th century, on the other hand, the sighting of killer whales has become an important tourist attraction, as well as its breeding in captivity and its incorporation into aquatic shows, since it is a fairly intelligent animal. Captivity produces atrophy of the dorsal fin in this species , due to the lack of exercise of its dorsal muscles, constantly staying on the surface.
- They are marine mammals, adapted to submerged life, with a characteristic black and white body , endowed with hydrodynamic proportions.
- The males of the species can measure up to 9 meters long and weigh 5.5 tons, while the females range around 7.7 meters long and 4 tons in weight. Both sexes have an extensive dorsal fin that can reach 1.8 meters in length.
- It is a natural born marine super predator , without rivals or natural enemies, that uses echolocation (emitting sound underwater) to perceive its prey.
- They are migratory animals , which make up more or less extensive herds, capable of coordinating an attack on larger prey, such as whales or white sharks.
- Four different types of killer whales have been identified , whose physical distinctions are more or less obvious, and which could indicate that new species have formed over time. It is a species under intense study by marine biologists.
- They are highly intelligent animals , among the few capable of recognizing themselves in a mirror. They are capable of playing, of imitating other animals and of transmitting teachings to their offspring.
- The average lifespan of an orca is comparable to that of a human being. Once the risk stages of infancy have passed (when about 37-50% of the calves die), orcas can lead lives of between 60 and 80 years, if they are males, and almost 100 years if they are of females . Like humans, female killer whales suffer from the end of ovulation and reproductive life (menopause) after a certain age.
- Their diet includes other dolphins , whales, pinnipeds, sea otters, sea lions. There is evidence that killer whales attack deer and moose that swim through small channels.An interesting observation: killer whale bite marks were found in half of the fin whales , and in 65% of the sperm whales examined. One in two sperm whales has been attacked by a killer whale at least once in their life.
- Killer whales are in fact considered the most respectful marine predatory animals of man . In nature, they show no fear of humans, all past attacks have been carried out by injured animals or in self-defense.Killer whales are present in absolutely every ocean in the world , from the cold waters of the polar oceans to the warm waters of the tropics. They are animals of much and continuous movement, being able to swim up to 60 kilometers a day and dive to depths of 150 meters repeatedly.
