1. ROCHELLE L. CELEVANTE PERIOD 3

2. COMMON NAMES ORCA SEAWOLF BLACKFISH

3. hABITAT Largest species of the oceanic dolphin family. It is found in all the world’s ocean from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to warm, tropical seas. Orcas are distinctively marked, with a black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eye.

4. description Calves are born with a yellowish or orange tint, which fades to white. Males can range from 6-10 meters long (19- 31 ft) and weigh in excess of 6 tonnes. Females are smaller, growing from 5-7 m (16- 23 ft) and a weight of about 4 to 5 tonnes.

5. ADAPTATION They prefer cooler temperate and polar regions. They can stand the freezing water. They use their tails for killing or protecting their selves.

6. FOOD CHAIN Orcas eat birds, whales, seals, sea lions, walruses, sea otters, penguins, salmon, cod, flat fish, hake, herring, smelt, and squid. Orcas hunt together like a pack of wolves. Sharks eat baby killer whales that have wondered from its mother. Cannibalism has been noted to this species.

7. HUMANS AND KILLER WHALES Orcas are known to human since prehistoric times. Orcas have been known to co-operate with humans in the hunting of whales. Whaling is the hunting of whales. International Whaling Commission (IWC) 1986 banned commercial whaling.

8. evolution Orca was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is one of thirty-five species in the dolphin family. Thus, paleontologists believe that the Orca is a prime candidate to have an anagenetic evolutionary history, forming descendant species from ancestral species without splitting of the lineage. If true, it will make Orca the oldest dolphin specie.

9. MORE INFO… Orcas are generally enthusiastic in their socializing, engaging in behaviors such as breaching, spy hopping, and tail-slapping.

10. MORE INFO… Orcas are found in all oceans and most seas, including the Mediterranean and Arabian seas. When hunting a young whale, a group chases it and its mother until they are worn out.