Courtesy of Marinebio.org
The orca, or “killer whale” (Orcinus orca), is the largest member of the dolphin family. While they live all over the world, orca whales are most commonly found in the Arctic, Antarctic, and off the west coast of the United States and Canada (Defenders). Like dolphins, they are extremely social creatures, always traveling with their families in pods. They hunt together using echolocation (reflection of sound to find the location of fish), use high-pitched clicks to stun prey, and take turns breaking up the schools to make it easier to catch them.
Courtesy of Adventure Journal
Orcas pods usually consist of 5-30 whales, but some may be much larger. They form social hierarchies, with pods being led by females. According to whale experts, each pod is thought to have their own form of language and way of communicating.
Much longer than humans, orca gestation lasts 13 to 16 months. A calf is born in the Fall, weighing almost 400 pounds and measuring up to seven feet in length. A calf will usually stay with its mother for at least two years, but it is not uncommon for them to live with their mothers for their whole life.
Fun Fact: The orca’s large size and strength make it among the fastest marine mammals, able to reach speeds in excess of 35mph.
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