Killer+Whales

Killer Whales By: Haley Watson

Killer whales (genus Orcinus orca), can be anywhere from 16-26 feet long, generally weighing around six tons. They can be found in all oceans, but are most common in the Southern hemisphere. Female whales mature around age 15. On average, whales raise five offspring. Killer whales travel in family groups called a matriline, which are composed of about 5.5 animals. Killer whales tend to be highly social animals. They are regarded as apex predators, or lacking natural predators. They feed off of fish, seals, sea lions, and other mammals or birds. Mortality is extremely high, and about 37-50 percent of calves die. The minimum population of killer whales is approximately 50,000.

A typical killer whale has a black back with a white chest and sides, and a white patch above the eye. They have a dorsal fin that can be as long as 6.6 feet. Whales have good eyesight above and below water, excellent hearing, and a good sense of touch. The skull is somewhat oval shaped and the beak is extremely short and rounded at the end. The skull is somewhat oval shaped and the beak is extremely short and rounded at the end. To assist with swimming the flippers are paddle shaped with rounded ends and the flukes are tapered back and pointed at the end like a wide triangle or pyramid.

The threats killer whales face could be classified in two groups, natural dangers in their habitat and those originated by human activities. Some threats that the killer whale faces are habitat pollution, excessive noise, deceased prey, commercial hunting, climate change, and capture for entertainment. It has also been found that orcas have been identified with Hodgkin’s disease, tumors, stomach ulcers and skin diseases. Until 1981, the whalers of Norway, Japan and the Soviet Union had captured about 6,000 whales. Some people think they are wild animals that attack humans at the first opportunity. Its common name, killer whale, does not seem to help the change in that perspective. It is not a killer whale.