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(#3) Pods Of Whales Have Different Dialects Of Communication
Much like other pack animals and animals of high intelligence, orcas depend on a complex and diverse communication system. Much like their dolphin relatives, orcas use a series of clicks, whistles, and chirps to cut through the water and communicate with one another. Orcas are able to create these sounds with the use of a compact tissue in the nasal cavity and hear them with their nearly invisible, highly developed ears located behind their eyes.
Scientists continue to study the sounds that killer whales make, and while much is still unknown, they have discovered that all pods create completely different sets of sounds from other pods. When orcas are born, they are able to employ a very rudimentary repertoire of sounds, and learn their pod’s “dialect” over time. This use of language and its variance across pods from all over the world proves just how intelligent these marine mammals are.
In fact, the differences in prey preference, hunting practice, and communication has lead some scientists to believe that orcas are the only non-human mammal whose evolution is driven by culture, as opposed to natural selection.
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(#11) Orcas Are Scary Fast In Water
Orcas are among the fastest swimming marine mammals in the world. While they can cruise consistently at a speed of about eight miles per hour, they can reach a blistering 28 miles per hour when pursuing prey. Killer whales are also highly maneuverable and can change direction underwater quickly to continue pursuit of their much smaller prey.
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(#10) Animal Coloration
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The killer whale is certainly one of the most recognizable animals in the ocean, thanks to their sleek, black body and beautiful white spot above their eyes. But why the coloration, and why do the white eyespots exist? Scientists believe that the eyespot is a way for orcas to confuse their prey, as they do not know where their real, smaller eye is. Additionally, the black coloration hides them in the depths below, as orcas use the dark ocean water as a form of camouflage while pursuing their prey.
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(#12) Orcas Are At Risk Of Endangerment
While orcas are thought to be the most widespread mammal worldwide (after humans), they're still at risk of endangerment. An exact count as to the numbers of their population is difficult to ascertain, since pods are known to move through wide ranges of ocean. However, it's clear what's killing them: prey depletion. As bio-contamination, overfishing, increased ship traffic, and habitat loss continues, orcas run into the risk that there will not be enough prey to support their population.
Another factor that contributes to endangerment is the whaling industry that still exists in parts of Greenland, Japan, Indonesia, and some of the Caribbean islands. Additionally, targeted live captures, such as the ones that have taken place on behalf of SeaWorld and marine parks in Russia, have greatly impacted the Pacific Northwest and North Atlantic populations. They were heavily targeted and have yet to reach pre-capture numbers.
If you are concerned with the plight of the orca, you can “adopt” an orca through the WDC.
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(#8) Orcas Have Giant Teeth That Can Tear Apart Skin And Bone
Not only are orcas incredibly skilled hunters, but they're also adept killers. Orcas have massive three-inch teeth that line their jaws. These cone-shaped teeth number between 40 and 56, depending on the size of the whale. These teeth are not only useful to hold their prey in their mouth and tear at their flesh, but are so sharp that they can cut through thick skin, blubber, and bone. Whales do not chew their prey, but instead eat it in massive, bloody chunks.
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(#4) They Are The Largest Dolphin
While the world ‘whale’ is in the orca’s colloquial name, “Killer Whale,” the orca is in fact the world’s largest species in the dolphin family. Orcas are massive animals, weighing up to 6 tons and growing from 23 to 32 feet in length. This compares to the common bottlenose dolphin, which are between 10 to 14 feet long and weigh approximately 1,100 pounds. While a dolphin's size is relative to that of a large human, the orca's size is relative to that of a bus.
In addition to their big size, killer whales are also known for their large dorsal fin which can reach up to 6 feet.
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Killer whales are the largest species in the dolphin family. They are fierce carnivores, good at hunting prey, and are natural enemies of animals such as penguins and seals. Sometimes they even attack other cetaceans, even great white sharks, which can be called the kings of the sea. Killer whales are distributed in almost all ocean areas and have almost no natural enemies.
Despite the increasing use of the name "orcas", the traditional name "killer whale" is most commonly used by English-speaking scientists. The random tool describes 12 fascinating facts about killer whales that prove they are the most brilliant hunters in the ocean.
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