Habitat of the Killer Whale
Killer whales inhabit all oceans of the world. Next to humans, killer whales are the most widely distributed mammal.
All of the blue indicates the Killer Whales distribution.
Classification of the Killer Whale
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Description of the Killer Whale
Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. They feast on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even whales, employing teeth that can be four inches (ten centimeters) long. They are known to grab seals right off the ice. They also eat fish, squid, and seabirds.
Killer whales hunt in deadly pods, family groups of up to 40 individuals. There appear to be both resident and transient pod populations of killer whales. These different groups may prey on different animals and use different techniques to catch them
Killer whales hunt in deadly pods, family groups of up to 40 individuals. There appear to be both resident and transient pod populations of killer whales. These different groups may prey on different animals and use different techniques to catch them
Adaptations of the Killer Whale
- Can easily glide through water with use of dorsal fin and pectoral flippers.
- Blubber for warmth.
- Echolocation for communication and finding food.
- Sharp teeth to rip apart and chew their prey.
- Travel in pods for warmth and share food.
- Breed with other pods to prevent interbreeding.
- Can dive deep into water for 1 to 4 minutes.
- When diving deep, its lungs collapse to force air into the windpipe and nasal ducts to prevent the body from internally absorbing nitrogen.
- Tolerate higher amounts of nitrogen than humans.