Did you know...
- Orcas are social animals and live in groups, called
pods, which are stable and involve complex social
relationships. These pods can be resident
(remain stable in group structure and location) or
transient (always changing in structure and
location).
- Orcas are very protective of their young. Not only
the mother, but other pod members, usually young
females, help care for the calves. The whales
often live with their mothers even after they are
full grown.
- Female
Orcas can start breeding once they around
16 feet (4.9 meters) long. They mate all
year long and have a gestation period of 17
months. Calves are born about eight feet
(2.4 meters) long. Females give birth every
three to ten years.
- Each
whale pod has their own dialect of sounds and sets
each pod apart. They can easily recognize
their own pod from several miles away.
- You can
recognize an Orcas by their dorsal fins, the
white patches, and distinctive scars. The white
patches on Orcas, called saddle patches,
are usually over the eyes, under the jaw, on the
belly, and extend onto their sides.
- Even
though Orcas, or Killer Whales, are often called a
"whale", they are actually part of the
dolphin family.
- Orcas often hunt cooperatively which each
other. They are excellent hunters and eat
fish, seals, squid, sea lions, penguins, dolphins,
porpoises and even large whales, such as blue
whales. They are at the top of the food
chain (no natural predators) and are not
considered endangered.
- Orcas live to be 50 - 80 years old.
- Orcas can be found in all oceans, but usually
prefer coastal waters and cooler regions.
- Female
Orcas can grow up to 26 feet (7.9 meters)
with a three foot dorsal fin and males can grow up
to 28 feet (8.5 meters) with a six foot (1.3
meter) dorsal fin. That approximately the
same height as the average man.
- Orcas have 48 - 52 teeth, large and conical in
shape, which are curved back and inward.
- Whales
have skin that is sensitive to touch and they have
excellent sight and hearing.
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