Orca Essay
Orcas
Detailed Information
Killer whales
Orcas, also known as ‘killer whales’ are toothed whales that belong to the dolphin family. They got their fierce sounding name not because they kill humans, but because they will kill other large whales and animals. Killer whales hunt in packs which also gets them the reputation of being ‘the wolves of the sea’. Their packs, known as ‘pods’ are made of 5 – 30 whales that are commonly lead by a female orca.
Habitat
Orcas can be seen in all major oceans around the world. They are one of the most widely distributed mammals aside from humans that inhabit a variety of different places and oceans. Orcas are most frequently spotted in cooler regions and coastal waters such as the Arctic, the Antarctic and other …show more content…
Since killer whales inhabit a number of different regions, their diet depends on where they are located and the food that is available to them. Orcas mainly eat a large number of different fish, squids, seals, dolphins, rays, sharks and baleen whales. A favourite prey of these whales are, chinook salmon, king salmon and seals.
Appearance
Killer whales’ body shapes are quite cylindrical and each end is tapered. This body shape is competent for swimming while created little drag. Evidentally, these large mammals are of black and white colouration. They also have a gray patch usually called a “saddle” behind their dorsal fin. The underside of orcas are mostly white and the top is black with white patches near the eyes which are known as “eyespots”.
Value of Orcas
Orcas impact the population of certain prey, like sea lions and seals. Orcas are tremendously valuable to humans, especially economically. Every single year, thousands of people go to British Colombia and a bunch of other places in hopes of seeing these large mammals known as ‘killer whales’. From just whale watching alone, orcas reel in millions of dollars every year. Another value for humans is the biology of this animal; its intelligence, behaviour and
Detailed Information
Killer whales
Orcas, also known as ‘killer whales’ are toothed whales that belong to the dolphin family. They got their fierce sounding name not because they kill humans, but because they will kill other large whales and animals. Killer whales hunt in packs which also gets them the reputation of being ‘the wolves of the sea’. Their packs, known as ‘pods’ are made of 5 – 30 whales that are commonly lead by a female orca.
Habitat
Orcas can be seen in all major oceans around the world. They are one of the most widely distributed mammals aside from humans that inhabit a variety of different places and oceans. Orcas are most frequently spotted in cooler regions and coastal waters such as the Arctic, the Antarctic and other …show more content…
Since killer whales inhabit a number of different regions, their diet depends on where they are located and the food that is available to them. Orcas mainly eat a large number of different fish, squids, seals, dolphins, rays, sharks and baleen whales. A favourite prey of these whales are, chinook salmon, king salmon and seals.
Appearance
Killer whales’ body shapes are quite cylindrical and each end is tapered. This body shape is competent for swimming while created little drag. Evidentally, these large mammals are of black and white colouration. They also have a gray patch usually called a “saddle” behind their dorsal fin. The underside of orcas are mostly white and the top is black with white patches near the eyes which are known as “eyespots”.
Value of Orcas
Orcas impact the population of certain prey, like sea lions and seals. Orcas are tremendously valuable to humans, especially economically. Every single year, thousands of people go to British Colombia and a bunch of other places in hopes of seeing these large mammals known as ‘killer whales’. From just whale watching alone, orcas reel in millions of dollars every year. Another value for humans is the biology of this animal; its intelligence, behaviour and