ORCA'S

SCIENTIFIC NAME - Orcinus orca

Orcas occur from the polar regions to the equator, and are often found among ice floes. They can adapt to almost any conditions, and appear to be at home in both open sea and coastal waters.

Killer whales are one of the top predators in the sea. As a group, killer whales are known to eat fish, squid, seals, sea lions, penguins, even other whales. They have the most varied diet of all cetaceans, and can tackle prey of all shapes and sizes. Their co-ordinated hunting strategies - working as a team and not as individual units within the pod,

Scientists have determined that killer whales can live a maximum of 35 years.

Females can reach lengths up to 24 feet and weigh between 3,000 to 8,000 lb. Males can reach lengths up to 27 feet and can weigh up to 12,000 lb. The largest male ever recorded was 32 ft. (9.75 m) and weighed 21,000 lb. (9,524 kg). The largest female recorded was 28 ft. (8.5 m) and weighed 15,000 lb. (6,803 kg).

Killer whales, like other marine mammals, produce a periodic growth layer on the teeth. By counting these layers, scientists can estimate the animal's age. The number of teeth varies among individuals. There are usually 10 to 14 teeth on each side of the jaw (40-58 teeth total). Teeth are about 3 in. (7.6 cm) long and about 1 in. (2.5 cm) in diameter.

Killer whales have a well-developed, acute sense of hearing. Killer whales have responded to tones within the frequency range of about 0.5 to 100 kHz. (The average hearing range for humans is about 0.02 to 17 kHz.)

Killer whales also have acute vision both in and out of the water.

Olfactory lobes of the brain and olfactory nerves are absent in all toothed whales, indicating that they have no sense of smell.

Killer whales are among the fastest swimming marine mammals. They can swim at speeds of up to 30 mph (48.4 kph), but they usually cruise at much slower speeds, between 2 and 6 mph (3.2-9.7 kph).

Killer whales live in groups called pods. The size of a pod usually varies from less than 5 to about 30 individuals. A pod is a cohesive long-term social unit. A pod usually consists of males, females, and calves of varying ages.

DOLPHINS.....SHARKS.....GALLERY.....LINKS.....POSTCARDS.....SOUNDS.....GIFTS.....KIDS ZONE.....PSP TUBES.....ICQ SKINS