What are orcas special features?
Another distinctive feature of the orca is its dorsal fin, which can reach 6 feet (1.8 m) high in males and is shaped like an isosceles triangle. The immature male and the female dorsal fins are also large, reaching 3 feet (. 91 m) high, but are falcate (curved).
What is a orca personality?
WASHINGTON — Killer whales display personality traits similar to those of humans and chimpanzees, such as playfulness, cheerfulness and affection, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association. The research was published online in the Journal of Comparative Psychology®.
What is the behavior of a killer whale?
Behavior and Diet Killer whales are highly social, and most live in social groups called pods (groups of maternally related individuals seen together more than half the time). Individual whales tend to stay in their natalpods.
What is the common name for Orcinus orca?
Killer Whale
| Common Name(s): | Killer Whale [English] |
| orca [English] | |
| Orca común [Spanish] | |
| épaulard [French] | |
| Taxonomic Status: |
Can orcas understand humans?
New research reveals that orcas are able to imitate human speech, in some cases at the first attempt, saying words such as “hello”, “one, two” and “bye bye”. The study also shows that the creatures are able to copy unfamiliar sounds produced by other orcas – including a sound similar to blowing a raspberry.
Why are orcas so mean?
Since orcas are extremely intelligent, they often use their developed communication skills and carnivorous instincts to dominate the ocean as apex predators. Many may simply attribute orcas’ bloodthirsty tendencies to their natural instincts rather than any inherent sadistic preferences.
What kind of environment does Orcinus orca live in?
Although Orcinus orca seems to prefer colder waters, they have also been observed in tropical waters. There seems to be no or very little migration due to weather and water temperature, but killer whales will move to other areas when food becomes scarce. ( Estes, et al., 2006; Ford, et al., 2000; Heintzelman, 1981; Mann, et al., 2000)
What kind of animal is an orca whale?
Killer Whales, also known as Orcas are toothed whales that belong to the family of oceanic dolphins. Feeding, habitat, distribution, reproduction, evolution, communication and all the information about killer whales.
How big is the average size of an orca?
Orcas are very large and strong animals that can reach up to ten meters (32.8 feet) long in extreme cases and have an excellent sense of hearing. Morphological characteristics, social behavior and developed survival instinct make them apex predators and the mammal species more globally distributed after humans.
What’s the average body temperature of an orca?
The mean body temperature of the orca is 36 to 38 °C (97 to 100 °F). Like most marine mammals, orcas have a layer of insulating blubber ranging from 7.6 to 10 cm (3.0 to 3.9 in) thick beneath the skin. The pulse is about 60 heartbeats per minute when the orca is at the surface, dropping to 30 beats/min when submerged.