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Killer Whale (Orca) Dolfin Family, Facts, Habitat, Features, Speed, Weight, Length
Killer Whales (Orca) Facts, Habitat, Family, Special Features, Speed, Marine Predators
Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators.
They feast on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even whales, employing teeth that can be four inches long.
They are known to grab seals right off the ice. They also eat fish, squid, and seabirds.
An orca is a marine mammal. They are often confused for being a whale because of their name ‘killer whale’, but did you know that orcas are actually dolphins? In fact, they are the largest member of the dolphin family!
Orcas are highly intelligent, highly adaptable and able to communicate and coordinate hunting tactics.
They are extremely fast swimmers and have been recorded at speeds of up to 54kph! A wild orca pod can cover over 160 kilometres a day, foraging and socialising.
Orcas were given the name killer whale by ancient sailors’ observations of groups of orcas hunting and preying on larger whale species.
They called orcas asesina ballenas, or ‘whale killer’ – a term that was eventually flipped around to the easier killer whale.
Though they often frequent cold, coastal waters, orcas can be found from the polar regions to the Equator.
