All About Killer Whales

The scientific name for the killer whale is Orcinus Orca. The Killer Whale is also known as the Orca Whale.

The Killer Whale is an iconic whale. The Killer Whale is named for its impressive hunting techniques. Killer whales eat fish, squid, sea lions and even other whales. Killer Whales will herd fish together before attacking. Killer Whales have 40-56 razor sharp teeth. The killer whale is the only whale that eats other mammals.

Killer Whale are located worldwide along coastlines and from open ocean to ice fields. Killer Killer Whale are typically up to 30 feet long and weigh up to 10 tons. Killer Whales have stocky bodies and broad tail flukes. Killer Whale tail fluke works as a propeller to help them swim at a high speed. Killer Whales can swim up to 31 mph faster than a speed boat. Killer Whales are black and white with a triangular dorsal fin.

Killer whales live in family groups, also called pods of forty or more whales. Orcas have complex social structures with behaviours and rituals that are specific to each pod, in fact scientists have identified different dialects of sounds between Orca pods. Killer Whales are highly social in nature, and live in matriarchal pods and family groups. Male and female calves stay with their mother for life. Killer Whales carry their young from 12-17 months and give birth to only one calf at a time. An average pod of Killer Whales is about 30, but superpods with 150 Killer Whales have been known to exist. The Killer Whale pod travel in formation with the females and calves in the center with the males around the edges. The pod spreads across an area of 3/4 mile when traveling. Killer Whale communicate by cries and screams. They also use echolocation, that bounce off objects to assist with navigation.

There are an estimated 50,000 Orca Whales in the world. Orca whales can live up to 60 years.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net