Orcas: Habitat And Geographic Location
PRESENT DAY
Habitat and Geographic Location
The Orcas can be found in all the world’s oceans. Their location ranges from the equator to both polar regions. Orcas inhabit deep ocean waters and coastal shallows. The northern and southern ranges are limited by pack ice. The orca stays in one area all year, and travels within its home range for prey. Some populations migrate toward the equator in the winter and back toward the poles in the summer. The orcas adapt well to any climate, however, coastal and cool waters are preferred.
Structural Features
Dorsal Fins- Stabilizes the animal from rolling over and helps assist with sudden turns.
Tail Flukes- Propels the Orca at high-speed. It also is used to slap the water and produce defeating sound …show more content…
Bigger Eyes- Allow for a bigger and better vision of their prey and predators in the icy waters.
Countercurrent Heat Exchanges in their Flippers- Their flippers are kept at a lower temperature to reduce heat loss. The blood is cooled when it enters and warms up when it leaves the flipper.
Variations
Black and White Color to Pure Black Body Color- Some Orcas have developed a pure black body color due to the cold weather, while others have kept the main black and white body color.
Different Lengths of Dorsal Fins- Orcas have fins ranging from six feet to ten feet due to the change in environment.
Average to Large Eye Patches- Some Orcas have developed larger eye patches due to the increase in their eye size. The patches mimic the size of the eyes.
Belly Spot to No Belly Spot- Some Orcas have lost their white belly spots due to the cold weather, as they have turned a pure black color.
100 MILLION YEARS IN THE FUTURE
Habitat
Much of the Earth’s ocean have become increasingly warm, and the volume of the ocean has increased, causing the surface level to increase. The Orcas are living in the deep ocean waters somewhat near the coast. The Orcas are adapting well to the change in climate because pods of Orcas would go down to warm regions like the equator before the hothouse …show more content…
A majority of the Orcas are in the coastal waters of the ocean. The Orcas migrate toward the equator in the winter and back towards the poles in the summer. The Orcas habitat has grown significantly larger as they try to stay hidden from the large creatures.
Adaptations
Slicker Skin- Allows the orca to swim faster and reduce the risk of being caught by large creatures.
Gills- Allows for the Orca to stay underwater and hide from predators while breathing easily for longer periods of time.
Whiskers- Helps the Orcas catch food because the whiskers are able to guide animals to food. The whiskers act as a guide through the water. Therefore, the Orcas have a larger chance of getting food.
Continuation of Orcas
The movement of the plate tectonics has affected the continuation of Orcas in mostly positive ways. Due to the movement of plates, the habitat of the Orcas has grown significantly. The only problem the plates caused was larger underwater creatures that hunt the Orcas. However, the Orca population hasn’t changed very much.
Peduncle Dorsal Fin Eye
Habitat and Geographic Location
The Orcas can be found in all the world’s oceans. Their location ranges from the equator to both polar regions. Orcas inhabit deep ocean waters and coastal shallows. The northern and southern ranges are limited by pack ice. The orca stays in one area all year, and travels within its home range for prey. Some populations migrate toward the equator in the winter and back toward the poles in the summer. The orcas adapt well to any climate, however, coastal and cool waters are preferred.
Structural Features
Dorsal Fins- Stabilizes the animal from rolling over and helps assist with sudden turns.
Tail Flukes- Propels the Orca at high-speed. It also is used to slap the water and produce defeating sound …show more content…
Bigger Eyes- Allow for a bigger and better vision of their prey and predators in the icy waters.
Countercurrent Heat Exchanges in their Flippers- Their flippers are kept at a lower temperature to reduce heat loss. The blood is cooled when it enters and warms up when it leaves the flipper.
Variations
Black and White Color to Pure Black Body Color- Some Orcas have developed a pure black body color due to the cold weather, while others have kept the main black and white body color.
Different Lengths of Dorsal Fins- Orcas have fins ranging from six feet to ten feet due to the change in environment.
Average to Large Eye Patches- Some Orcas have developed larger eye patches due to the increase in their eye size. The patches mimic the size of the eyes.
Belly Spot to No Belly Spot- Some Orcas have lost their white belly spots due to the cold weather, as they have turned a pure black color.
100 MILLION YEARS IN THE FUTURE
Habitat
Much of the Earth’s ocean have become increasingly warm, and the volume of the ocean has increased, causing the surface level to increase. The Orcas are living in the deep ocean waters somewhat near the coast. The Orcas are adapting well to the change in climate because pods of Orcas would go down to warm regions like the equator before the hothouse …show more content…
A majority of the Orcas are in the coastal waters of the ocean. The Orcas migrate toward the equator in the winter and back towards the poles in the summer. The Orcas habitat has grown significantly larger as they try to stay hidden from the large creatures.
Adaptations
Slicker Skin- Allows the orca to swim faster and reduce the risk of being caught by large creatures.
Gills- Allows for the Orca to stay underwater and hide from predators while breathing easily for longer periods of time.
Whiskers- Helps the Orcas catch food because the whiskers are able to guide animals to food. The whiskers act as a guide through the water. Therefore, the Orcas have a larger chance of getting food.
Continuation of Orcas
The movement of the plate tectonics has affected the continuation of Orcas in mostly positive ways. Due to the movement of plates, the habitat of the Orcas has grown significantly. The only problem the plates caused was larger underwater creatures that hunt the Orcas. However, the Orca population hasn’t changed very much.
Peduncle Dorsal Fin Eye