They circle their prey and force them into smaller areas before attacking. Male and female orcas can range from 16-22 feet and 2.6-9 tons! Amongst the marine animals, they have the second heaviest brain and are considered quite intelligent. They are easy to identify because of their distinctive white and black colouring. Their hearing ability under water is very acute. Type D are known to prefer deep waters, but the sightings are quite few in number. Killer Whales Are Part of the Dolphin Family. Killer whales can survive in the cold polar regions of Antarctica and the Arctic Circle, as well as the warm waters of the equatorial regions. Since the life expectancy of a female killer whale is almost 90 years, up to almost 4 generations stay together. This scientific order is of large aquatic mammals. These long-bodied, squirrel-like creatures display strong harmony in their daily…, Can you believe that the world’s largest and heaviest bird is literally not a bird because it can’t fly? They received their name due to their large size and suitability as predators. The pictorial fins of the killer whale are large and rounded that resembles paddles. Their body shape is round and cylindrical with tapering tail and head. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Also, different killer whale species have specialized on certain prey species. Killer whales have dark backs and white sides and chests. The three types of killer whales are resident killer whales, transient killer whales and offshore killer whales. Orcas were given the name ‘killer whale’ by ancient sailors’ observations of groups of orcas hunting and preying on larger whale species. Appearance. Also, the pectoral flippers of males are larger than that of females. Killer whales have a black, smooth body covering with a few white spots.They do not have scales. Adult killer whales are very distinctive, seldom confused with any other sea creature. Both the Dolphin and the whale are closely related and belong to a scientific order known as Cetacea. Their diet may include a variety of fishes, sea turtles, sea birds and cephalopods. Other body structures on a killer whale include tail flukes that help keep the animal in motion. Killer whales inhabit all oceans of the world. while an adult female killer whale will grow to an average length of 16 – 23 ft. long and weigh between 3,000 lbs. . Killer whales also learn easily different tricks and acts. They may also suffer from viral or fungal infections. Narwhal (Unicorn Of The Sea) is found in the cold water of Arctic sea near Canada and Greenland. Killer whales, also called orcas, are the largest marine mammal that is a part of the dolphin family. Sometimes a killer whale may make loud sounds either under the water or above it by lob tailing, dorsal fin slapping and pec-slapping. They need to eat three to four percent of their body weight a day to stay strong. Overview. Type B killer whales prefer inshore waters of the Antarctic Peninsula and the Antarctica. Killer Whale Physical Characteristics Colour. The average size of a female is 16-19 feet and that of a male is 19-22 feet. Killer whales are mostly black on top with white undersides and white patches near the eyes. A giraffe can…, Your email address will not be published. 27 ft. in length and can  weigh in at 7 tons, Anna Chalik, Erin Matsutsuyu, and Kristin Daniels. 32 ft. in length and can weigh in at 10 tons, This picture portrays a female killer whale. They are found in all the world's oceans, from the cold of the Arctic to the tropical seas. As stated earlier the killer whale is the largest animal within the dolphin family.At full maturity the male killer whale will usually grow to an average length of 20 – 26 ft. long and weigh an average of 8,000 lbs. Their large size and their anatomical design allow us to differentiate and distinguish them from other cetaceans in the ocean quickly. Males can weigh up to 5.5 tonnes while the females are around 4 tonnes.In addition to being heavier, males have a … A male can wiegh up to 11,000 po… The killer whale is the largest member of the dolphin family. Social hierarchy exists amongst the killer whales where the females are dominant. They are the largest member of the dolphin family Delphinidae and are also known as Black Fish.The Black fish family (named from their black skin color) also includes the False Killer Whale (Pseudorca crassidens), Pilot Whales (Globicephala spp. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas. A full grown male killer whale is larger than a fully grown female killer whale. The Killer Whale is a species from the Choeropsis genus. Despite their name, they are not whales. Individual killer whales usually separate from the group for only a few hours. They have very distinct white eye patches and a conspicuous saddle. Orcas are considered to be highly social and their hunting techniques are quite sophisticated. Black; White; Skin Type Smooth Top Speed 30 mph Lifespan 50-60 years Weight 6,804-8,618kg (15,000-19,000lbs) 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. An orca's body is cylindrical and tapers at both ends to form an aerodynamic shape.According to National Geographic, orcas are considered the largest species of the dolphin family. Whales belong to the order Cetacea which has 79 species, including Dolphins, Porpoises and Killer Whales (orcas). 1. The killer whale has round pectoral fins on either side of its body, a … The name ‘Whale’ is quite a confusing term when classifying these large mammals. For this reason they are frequently captured and marketed for recreational purposes.. Their beautiful mixing of white and black colors, are very proper to be part of aquariums.. Sending sound waves that travel underwater, killer whales use echolocation as a means for hunting. The killer whale is one of the most recognizable marine mammals, namely due to their black and white pattern, and large size. Also, the pectoral flippers of males are larger than that of females. Extreme care of the calf is required especially during the first seven months as during this period the death rate of a calf is very high. Type A killer whales prefer living offshore and in ice-free waters. A killer whale may rise vertically exposing only its head. They called orcas asesina ballenas, or ‘whale killer’ – a term that was eventually flipped around to the easier ‘killer whale’. The only difference is…, Platypus is often referred to as the duck-billed platypus because its bill resembles that of a duck. Killer whale, (Orcinus orca), also called orca, largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae). Because of this, they are sometimes known as wolf of the sea (As wolfs also hunt in packs). Ostrich is found abundantly near…, Giraffes are said to be tallest living terrestrial animals. Killer whales or Orcas are apex predators. Although the species has been known to be extremely aggressive in captivity, this aggressive behavior has not been observed in the wild. Next to humans and perhaps the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), killer whales are the most widely distributed mammal.Populations have been documented foraging for long periods of time in shallow coastal and inter-tidal flats in just a … Killer whales, also known as Orcas, are marine mammals. The killer whale or “Orca” is a cetacean of the family “Odontocete” that groups every toothed marine mammal, just like dolphins. Orca anatomy Killer whales are the world’s largest dolphins. Just behind the dorsal fin is a patch of gray called a \"saddle\" — because it looks like a riding saddle. Killer whales share some personality traits with humans and chimps - such as playfulness, independence, stubbornness, bravery, sensitivity and protectiveness - according to a new study. Some Whales that are called ‘Whales’ are not actually Whales. It is also known as an orca. These small dolphins can weigh up … Identifying and cataloging whales based on natural markings and characteristics is a type of research called photo-identification. Male and females look almost identical except for that the males are larger and longer in comparison to the females. Males can measure up to 30 feet long. The question of where killer whales live is complicated by the fact that there is disagreement over how many species of killer whales there are. The pictorial fins of the killer whale are large and rounded that resembles paddles. The lifespans of wild females average 50 years. Yes, we are talking about Ostrich. The killer whale's flippers are large and oval. Narwhal - Facts, Pictures, Habitat, Behavior, Appearance, Platypus - Facts, Pictures, Habitat, Diet, Appearance, Meerkat - Facts, Pictures, Behavior, Diet, Appearance, Characteristics, Ostrich (Common Ostrich)- Facts, Pictures, Habitat, Diet, Appearance, Giraffe - Facts For Kids, Pictures, Diet, Lifecycle, Appearance, German Shorthaired Pointer – All Purpose Gun Breed, Flat-Coated Retriever : A Dual Purpose Retriever, German Longhaired Pointer – A Multipurpose Gun Dog, St. Bernard Dog – A Large Working Class Breeds, Borneo Pygmy Elephant – Facts, Habitat, Pictures. (The dorsal fin is the fin that sticks up from their back). The population of Southern Resident killer whales in the Pacific Northwest is one of the most critically endangered marine mammals. The life average expectancy of a female killer whale is between 46 and 50 years and that of a male killer whale is between 30 and 38 years. This creature is classified as an oceanic dolphin that typically inhabits tropical regions and other oceans. Apex predators or alpha predators are predators that take the topmost position of the food chain. Populations have been documented foraging for long periods of time in shallow coastal and inter-tidal flats in just a few meters of water. – 12,000 lbs. Habitat & Distribution . In general, the killer whale behavior includes breaching (jumping), travelling, tail slapping and socializing. Also, they are considered as quite common on the eastern Pacific and around the North Atlantic Ocean. They may be considered as species that are cosmopolitan in nature i.e. The killer whale is the largest marine mammal in the dolphin family. Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. A full grown male killer whale is larger than a fully grown female killer whale. Killer whale sizes vary significantly between different geographical areas. The population of Southern Resident killer whales in the Pacific Northwest is one of the most critically endangered marine mammals. A typical killer whale distinctively bears a black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eye. They have white eye patch with a big and heavy body. The social structure of the killer whale is quite complex and stable. upon birth, The picture above is showing a male adult killer whale. Females can grow up to approx. Their body shape is round and cylindrical with tapering tail and head. They can reach lengths of 25 to 30 feet and weigh up to eight tons. They are considered as the fastest marine mammals and can swim at a speed of 56km/hr. Characteristics of the killer whale. They are not a threat to the human being. Description of the Killer Whale. 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