The pod’s social structures can reach sophistications seen to such a degree only in higher primates like elephants and humans. Killer Whales are very social mammals, living in pods. Orcas are also know to beach themselves in an effort to either grab a target like a seal resting on land or ice, or to scare prey into the water where other Orcas are waiting. The Orcas around Norway and Greenland specialize in herring, following the schools of fish in their annual migrations. Larger adult males have been known to eat up to 100kgs (the equivalent of a large-ish adult human male) of food a day. For example, pods in polar climates will have members charge a drifting piece of ice, diving under it at the last moment, causing the ice to tip and drop the prey into the water, where other members of the pod are waiting. In other areas, Killer Whales have shown distinct herding behaviours, working together to force prey (for example, sharks, other whales, smaller fish) to the surface where they can be beaten with the Orcas’ immense tail flukes, or in the case of attacks on larger creatures like Blue Whales, repeatedly bitten, giving chase for hours. Some pods have displayed sophisticated hunting techniques. Orcas have teeth and hunt in packs, much like wolves. However, focusing on one group of Killer Whales at a time shows their diets and hunting patterns to be more specialized. On a worldwide scale, Orcas have a diverse diet. They are considered the most widely spread mammals after human beings. One of the world’s most powerful hunters, Orcas use surprisingly sophisticated techniques while on the hunt. Spread throughout the oceans of the world, Orcas are most commonly found in colder waters surrounding the North and South Pole. The range of diets include fish, sharks, rays, seals, walruses, sea lions, otters, penguins, other sea birds, turtles, cuttlefish, octopi, squid, other types of whale.Īppearance: Black with white highlight spots around the eyes and a white belly. The apex predator of the seas, the Orca, or Killer Whale, is a member of the dolphin family. However some of these specific groups, like the “southern resident” group off the western coast of North America are on the United States’ Endangered Species List.ĭiet: Depends on the sub-grouping of the whale. Conservation status: Overall the Killer Whale conservation status is listed as “Data Deficient” because Killer Whales are actually of two or more distinct species.
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