 |
|
Conservation | Zoos, Parks, &
Refuges | Events | Organizations & Charities |
Home > Animal Guides > Mammals > Killer Whale
Killer Whale
Orcinus orca
| Also Known As: | Orca
Blackfish |
Conservation Status: Data Deficient
Size: From head to tail measurements range from 13 feet to as high as 18 feet, though a male was once recorded as being 32 feet. The weight of the whale varies between 3000-16,500 pounds.
Range: All oceans; though the killer whale prefers the colder waters of the Arctic and Antarctic.
Habitat: Live in all oceans.
Diet: Carnivorous, fish is the main staple of their diet though they also eat mammals such as sea lions, otters, squid, turtles and penguins.
Breeding: Polygamous; breeding occurs year round.
Warnings: Though there are no records of an attack, swim with extreme caution in all ocean waters!
Description & Behavior
The killer whale has a long sleek body with smooth skin, described as feeling like rubber, and has a round head. The color of the killer whale is solid black on top, snow white on the underside and around the eyes. The killer whale has a white saddle right below the dorsal fin, also has a pectoral flipper and the tail known as a fluke. The dorsal fin is hooked for a female and is straight up and down for a male.
|
|
|
|
| ©2008 WonderfullyWild.com - All information contained on this site is copyright WonderfullyWild.com unless otherwise specified. Do not use any material from this site without express permission from us. Special Thanks |
