Killer Whales: Killers They Are Not Orcinus orca Created by: The Amorous Christina Morales Created by: The Amorous Christina Morales

Orca’s Size  Known for their long dorsal fin on their backs  They have a patch of gray called a ”saddle”  Their bodies are cylindrical and tapers at both ends; this forms an aerodynamic shape  They are the largest species of the dolphin family  They weigh up to 6 tons  Known for their long dorsal fin on their backs  They have a patch of gray called a ”saddle”  Their bodies are cylindrical and tapers at both ends; this forms an aerodynamic shape  They are the largest species of the dolphin family  They weigh up to 6 tons

Their Habitat  These creatures are the most widely distributed mammals – other than humans  Live in oceans and seas surrounding most coastal countries  Adapt very well to any climate – can live in both cold and warm waters  These animals usually never stay in one area and travel exceedingly long distances  These creatures are the most widely distributed mammals – other than humans  Live in oceans and seas surrounding most coastal countries  Adapt very well to any climate – can live in both cold and warm waters  These animals usually never stay in one area and travel exceedingly long distances

Habits  These animals are incredibly social and are usually never found swimming alone  They live and travel in groups entitled pods  There are two kinds of pods: a resident pod (less aggressive and tend to prefer fish) and a transient pod (acts tantamount to a wolf pack and are very aggressive).  Orcas hunt marine mammals by working together  These animals are incredibly social and are usually never found swimming alone  They live and travel in groups entitled pods  There are two kinds of pods: a resident pod (less aggressive and tend to prefer fish) and a transient pod (acts tantamount to a wolf pack and are very aggressive).  Orcas hunt marine mammals by working together

Diet  Orcas are apex predators (top of the food chain).  Killer whales usually eat such animals as sea birds, squid, octopuses, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and fish.  They are also known to eat most marine mammals like seals and dugongs; however, they will not eat river dolphins and manatees.  They have also been reported to eat moose  Orcas are apex predators (top of the food chain).  Killer whales usually eat such animals as sea birds, squid, octopuses, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and fish.  They are also known to eat most marine mammals like seals and dugongs; however, they will not eat river dolphins and manatees.  They have also been reported to eat moose

Offspring  A female killer whale will give birth usually every three to ten years - one offspring at a time  The typical gestation period for a killer whale is 17 months  A baby orca is called a calf, and they are born 8.5 feet long and around 265 to 353 pounds  Orcas can live from 50 to 100 years!  A female killer whale will give birth usually every three to ten years - one offspring at a time  The typical gestation period for a killer whale is 17 months  A baby orca is called a calf, and they are born 8.5 feet long and around 265 to 353 pounds  Orcas can live from 50 to 100 years!

Fun Facts About Orcas  Nicknamed ”killer whales” but are very unlikely to kill humans  Can grow as long as an entire school bus (23-32 feet long).  Are at the tippy-top of the food chain; eat almost anything (squid, octopuses, seals, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and sea birds).  An orca pregnancy lasts around 17 months  Nicknamed ”killer whales” but are very unlikely to kill humans  Can grow as long as an entire school bus (23-32 feet long).  Are at the tippy-top of the food chain; eat almost anything (squid, octopuses, seals, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and sea birds).  An orca pregnancy lasts around 17 months

More Fun Facts  Orcas are considered the largest species of the dolphin family.  They can weigh up to 6 tons!  Killer whales’ teeth alone can grow up to 4 inches long  When feeding, killer whales have been known to breach themselves on land to catch seals; they are also able to jump very high out of the water to catch birds flying near the ocean and coastline.  Orcas are considered the largest species of the dolphin family.  They can weigh up to 6 tons!  Killer whales’ teeth alone can grow up to 4 inches long  When feeding, killer whales have been known to breach themselves on land to catch seals; they are also able to jump very high out of the water to catch birds flying near the ocean and coastline.

Pictures of Orcas

Orca Pods Attack (Poor) Seal  Orcas attack Orcas attack  Orcas attack Orcas attack

The Final Generation  After all the animosity and antipathy directed at SeaWorld for breeding all of those whales in captivity, the killer whales that are currently in SeaWorld’s care will be the final generation enclosed at the parks. SeaWorld states that they have been listening to the general opinions of the public, and they have irrevocably decided to make a change. They state that their purpose is to protect wild animals and wild places, and that is exactly what they are doing by having no more killer whales be confined to captivity in their parks. They can’t, however, merely throw an orca from captivity back into the ocean; therefore, they will continue to care and treat these animals until their last breaths. They are going to open their tanks to ocean sanctuaries!   After all the animosity and antipathy directed at SeaWorld for breeding all of those whales in captivity, the killer whales that are currently in SeaWorld’s care will be the final generation enclosed at the parks. SeaWorld states that they have been listening to the general opinions of the public, and they have irrevocably decided to make a change. They state that their purpose is to protect wild animals and wild places, and that is exactly what they are doing by having no more killer whales be confined to captivity in their parks. They can’t, however, merely throw an orca from captivity back into the ocean; therefore, they will continue to care and treat these animals until their last breaths. They are going to open their tanks to ocean sanctuaries! 

Bibliography  Bradford, By Alina. "Orcas: Facts About Killer Whales." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, Web. 14 Apr   Lacuna, Nancy. "Killer Whales (Orcas), Killer Whale Pictures, Killer Whale Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. Web. 14 Apr   Lott, Robb. "Orca (Killer Whale)." WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Web. 14 Apr  Bradford, By Alina. "Orcas: Facts About Killer Whales." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, Web. 14 Apr   Lacuna, Nancy. "Killer Whales (Orcas), Killer Whale Pictures, Killer Whale Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. Web. 14 Apr   Lott, Robb. "Orca (Killer Whale)." WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Web. 14 Apr