KILLER WHALE

 

Killer Whales are the largest members of the dolphin family. Killer whales occur in more parts of the world than probably any other cetacean. They are the fiercest sea mammals.

 

Above: a female Killer Whale

searching for her calf.

 

Killer Whales live in all oceans, both in the open ocean and close to shore, but are more common in the colder waters around Antarctica.

 

Killer Whales are black in appearance, with striking white patches above the eye and from their lower jaw to their belly. The males are larger than the females, with the females reaching lengths of up to 8.5m (28ft) and males reaching lengths of up to 9.8m (32ft). They have a triangular dorsal fin in the middle of their back. They have large oval flippers.

 

 Left: a female with her calf.

 

Killer Whales swim in groups of about 2 to 50. They feed on fish, squid, marine birds, pinniped, seals, penguins, porpoises, blue whales and other marine animals. Killer Whales generally co-operate during hunting especially when feed on warm-blooded animals such as penguins and porpoises. A female Killer Whale gives birth to a single 16 or 17 months after mating. The calf is then nursed for 14 to 18 months.

 

Above: a Killer Whale that

Was taken from his group.

 

 

In my opinion the Killer Whale is the best sea creature ever. It has no predators, but it is a predator to basically every marine animal.

 

 

 

Bibliography 

 

 


· Internet

· Site Name: Encarta Online

· URL: www.encarta.com

                                                                                   

 

 

By Frank Danieli