Killer Whales Essay

Killer whales live in almost every ocean. Though they are often found in cold, coastal waters, killer whales can be found from the polar regions to the Equator. The killer whale is a carnivor. These different groups may prey on different animals and use different techniques to catch them. Killer whales hunt in deadly pods which consist of family groups of up to 40 individuals. They feast on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even other whales. There are two kinds of Killer whales, the resident and the transient. Resident pods prefer fish, while transient pods catch marine mammals. All pods use effective, cooperative hunting techniques that some liken to the behavior of wolf packs . While hunting like wolves, killer whales could surround a school of salmon and even overwhelm a larger whale (National Geographic). One killer whale was even reported to have even traveled some 177 km up the Columbia River in search of fish In the Arctic, killer whales eat about 67% fishe, 27% marine mammals and 6% squid. In the Bering Sea near Alaska, they eat about 65% fishe, 20% squids and 15% marine mammals (Marine Bio).

Killer whales are known for their distinctive black-and-white coloring and are the intelligent, trainable stars of many aquarium shows. Killer whales have never been extensively hunted by humans. They can weigh up to 6 tons (5,443 kg) and grow to be 23 to 32 ft (7 to 9.7 m). An average Killer whales are about the size of a bus. Their teeth that can be four inches long (National Geographic).

Killer whales are protective of their young, and other females often assist the mother in caring for them. Mothers give birth every three to ten years, after a 17-month pregnancy (National Geographic). Its gestation is 13 to 16 ...

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...r humans because killer whales are one of the world's most powerful predators. Perhaps the greatest threat to the killer whales comes from the disturbance and degradation of its habitat. As a top predator, the killer whale is particularly vulnerable to the accumulation of contaminants in its tissues; for example, some populations have been found to carry high levels of chemicals such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), with negatively affects survival and reproduction. Large-scale oil spills can also affect the killer whales, either directly, or indirectly by reducing the abundance of its prey. Disturbance from boats and other man-made underwater noises can affect their behavior, disrupt echolocation and social calls, and reduce the ability of orcas to forage effectively. This may become a problem in areas where whale-watching is becoming popular. (Arkive).