Orcas

By: Dakota

Loading...

Table Of Contents

Loading...

1. What is an Orca?

2. Diet

3. Habitat

4. Reproduction

5. Bonus facts

6. Skeletal system

Loading...

There are many different types of animals, including mammals. One very interesting type of mammal is the orca, also known as a killer whale. The scientific name of the orca is Ornicus orca. They travel in groups called "pods", much like the dolphin. The orca is 23 to 32 feet long, about as long as a bus, and they weigh up to 6 tons. They also live up to 50 to 80 years!

Loading...

Loading...

What Is An Orca?

Loading...

There are many different types of animals, including mammals. One very interesting type of mammal is the orca, also known as a killer whale. The scientific name of the orca is Ornicus orca. They travel in groups called "pods", much like the dolphin. The orca is 23 to 32 feet long, about as long as a bus, and they weigh up to 6 tons. They also live up to 50 to 80 years!

Loading...

Diet

Orcas eat together in large pods. They prey on seals, sea lions, fish, squid, seabirds, and even sharks like the Great White and whales! Orcas hunt by jumping up onto the ice and pulling seals off and into the water. It is said that killer whale pods behave like wolf packs.

Orcas are commonly found near Antarctica, Iceland, Norway, and Pacific North America. They live mostly in the cold waters of Antarctica. The Johnstone Strait is a popular place among the orcas because of the free salmon that migrate there. They also love to rub their bellies on smooth stones at special "rubbing" beaches.

Habitat

Orcas are commonly found near Antarctica, Iceland, Norway, and Pacific North America. They live mostly in the cold waters of Antarctica. The Johnstone Strait is a popular place among the orcas because of the free salmon that migrate there. They also love to rub their bellies on smooth stones at special "rubbing" beaches.

Reproduction

Orcas are very protective of their babies. They have a 17 month pregnancy and give birth to one baby at a time. Mother orcas nurse their babies for two years and sometimes, the juvenile will leave it's mother, but in some pods, the juvenile stays with it's mother in it's pod. Orcas are so protective, that other female orcas will help the mother care for her baby. Baby orcas are also known as calves.

1. Even though orcas are called "killer whales", they aren't actually whales. Instead, they are actually the largest species of dolphin.

2. In Argentina, orcas throw themselves on shore to catch sea lion pups.

3. In the Antarctic, pods cooperate to make large waves that wash seals off of ice floes.

Bonus Facts

1. Even though orcas are called "killer whales", they aren't actually whales. Instead, they are actually the largest species of dolphin.

2. In Argentina, orcas throw themselves on shore to catch sea lion pups.

3. In the Antarctic, pods cooperate to make large waves that wash seals off of ice floes.

Skeletal System

An orca's skeleton is odd because they have a piece of their hind limbs left behind from evolution! Orcas are amazing animals and should be respected in their environment.

“Orcas: Killer Whales Are the Largest Dolphin Species.” Nationalgeographic.Com, National Geographic Partners, LLC.,
25 Mar. 2019, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/o/orca/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2020.
‌