killer whale

                                                           

Region

Type: Mammals

Diet: Carnivore

Average life span in the wild:50 to 80 years

Size:

23 to 32 ft (7 to 9.7 m)

Weight:

Up to 6 tons (5,443 kg)

Group name:

Pod

 Types:

Resident: These are the most commonly sighted of the three populations in the coastal waters of the northeast Pacific. Residents' diets consist primarily of fish and sometimes squid, and they live in complex and cohesive family groups called pods.Female residents characteristically have rounded dorsal fin tips that terminate in a sharp corner.They visit the same areas consistently. British Columbia and Washington resident populations are amongst the most intensively studied marine mammals. Researchers have identified and named over 300 killer whales over the past 30 years.

• Transient: The diets of these whales consist almost exclusively of marine mammals.Transients generally travel in small groups, usually of two to six animals, and have less persistent family bonds than residents. Transients vocalize in less variable and less complex dialects.^[ Female transients are characterized by more triangular and pointed dorsal fins than those of residents. The gray or white area around the dorsal fin, known as the "saddle patch", often contains some black colouring in residents. However, the saddle patches of transients are solid and uniformly gray.Transients roam widely along the coast; some individuals have been sighted in both southern Alaska and California. Transients are also referred to as Bigg's killer whale in honor of Michael Bigg. The term has become increasingly common and may eventually replace the transient label.
• Offshore: A third population of killer whales in the northeast Pacific was discovered in 1988, when a humpback whale researcher observed them in open water. As their name suggests, they travel far from shore and feed primarily on schooling fish.However, because they have large, scarred and nicked dorsal fins resembling those of mammal-hunting transients, it may be that they also eat mammals and sharks.They have mostly been encountered off the west coast of Vancouver Island and near the Queen Charlotte Islands. Offshores typically congregate in groups of 20–75, with occasional sightings of larger groups of up to 200. Currently, little is known about their habits, but they are genetically distinct from residents and transients. Offshores appear to be smaller than the others, and females are characterized by dorsal fin tips that are continuously
  
  
  

Introduction:

Throughout history, orcas have been inadequately considered and the lack of knowledge about them, as well as the myths that have circulated for generations, have caused them to be cataloged as sea monsters, enemies of all aquatic species and mainly, “killer” whales.

This belief comes from long ago. Their scientific name is Orcinus orca, from it, the word Orcinus means “from the realm of the dead,” relating to the Roman god Orcus master of the underworld. Later, poor translations ended in a name that eventually brought more fear to people, killer whales; both titles are incorrect. That is why now conservation groups are trying to eradicate that name to be replaced simply by orcas.Killer whales are marine mammals belonging to the family Delphinidae, formed by several species of dolphins, false killer whales and pilot whales. They are only related to whales up in the higher Cetacean order; however, most whales belong to the suborder Mysticeti (baleen whales) while orcas belong to the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales).

Physical charateristics:

 Largest Killer whales are up to ten meters (32.2 feet) long.Male orcas average 6-8 meters (20-26 feet) long.Female orcas average 5-7 meters (16-23 feet) long. The average life expectancy of killer whales is 35 years, but in exceptional cases they can reach up to 50 years. Killer whale diet includes fish, squid and marine mammals, but this varies according to the place they live.. Killer whales can swim up to 30 mph.he 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 its skin.