Killer Whale

Santiago Garfinkle

Description

Killer Whales or Orcas are mammals, they are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. They have black backs, white chests and sides, and white circles above and behind their eyes. The Killer Whale is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic whale family. They have employing teeth that can be four inches (ten centimeters) long. Male killer whales usually grow to an average of 20 - 26 feet and weigh an average of 8,000 lbs - 12,000 lbs while the female grows to an average of 16 - 23 feet and weighs between 3,000 lbs – 6,000 lbs. 

Habitat

Though they often frequently swim in cold coastal waters, they can be found in the polar regions of the Equator. Killer Whales live in all oceans, next to humans they are the most widely distributed mammal. Killer whales are found in the open ocean, but they seem to be mostly seen in coastal waters.

Symbiotic Interactions

The killer whale has a symbiotic relationship with a Barnacle  which is a Commensal relationship. This means that one species benefits from the relationship while the other does not. A barnacle gets protection but the whale gets nothing from the relationship. Killer whale  also has a Commensal relationship with various cleaner fish and shrimp. The fish help keep the whale healthy by removing fungi and bacteria so the whale benefits and then the shrimp and cleaner fish gets food and nutrients and protection.

Predator Adaptations

Killer whale has many adaptations that help it hunt and attack its prey. Killer whales are among the fastest swimming marine mammals.

 Killer whales can swim at speeds of up to 45 kph (28 mph) and for long periods of time which helps the orca catch up to its prey while there trying to get back their energy. 

 The Killer whale has a blowhole on its back so when the orca needs to breath, he can swim up to the surface just showing his back above the water so it can continue to swim underwater while breathing above the surface. which helps for example say a dolphin goes up above the water to breath, the orca can still go under water and as the dolphin is catching his breath. The killer whale would have already sneaked up on him by his back and ate him.

Prey Adaptations

The killer whale has many adaptations that help it survive. It uses echolocation, which helps the whale tell what objects are around it. It also hunts in groups, which makes it easier to hunt.  The killer whale has adapted to live in almost any type of water, and it can eat almost anything. It uses it’s weight and force to capture it’s prey. One challenge it has is that it has competition with fishermen, since they catch the same that killer whales eat. Even though the whale's are losing their prey they can stay alive because of all the other types of prey in the ocean.

Species Comparison

Bottlenose Dolphin and Killer whales are similliar because forelimbs modified as fins and nasal openings (blowholes) on top of the head. The end of the tail is composed of two flukes, and is used for propulsion. Other similarities include their sense organs, vocalization and sleeping methods. Dolphin and whales hunt for food by use of echolocation. They direct clicks into the water and listen to the strength of the rebounded echo from which they know the distance from the feed. 

Killer Whales. Photograph. Encyclopedia Brittanica Web. 26 May 2013.http://quest.eb.com/images/137_3318125?subjectId=0&collectionId=0&keyword=killer+wale&localizeMetaData=false

Resources: 

Killer Whale (orca), National Geographic, National Geographic Society, 1996. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/killer-whale/

Killer Whales Adaptations for aquatic environment,  Animals encyclopedia of aquatic life, 2004. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/killer-whale/adaptations.htm

Killer Whale Our Costal Residents, Centre of Whale Research, Centre of Whale Research (CWR), 2012. http://www.whaleresearch.com/#!orcas/cto2