Killer whales Latest News
A new study has found that killer whales may be exploring human behaviour by offering them whole prey and waiting for them to respond.
About Killer whales
- It is also known as Orcas which is found across the world and it is the ocean’s top predator.
- It is the largest member of the Delphinidae family, or dolphins and are the most widely distributed of all cetaceans.
- Members of this family include all dolphin species, as well as other larger species, such as long-finned pilot whales and short-finned pilot whales, whose common names also contain “whale” instead of “dolphin”.
- Behavior: Killer whales are highly social, and most live in social groups called pods (groups of maternally related individuals seen together more than half the time).
- Killer whales rely on underwater sound to feed, communicate, and navigate.
- Appearance: They are one of the most recognizable marine mammals, with their distinctive black and white bodies.
- Habitat: Globally, killer whales occur in a wide range of habitats, in both open seas and coastal waters.
- Threats: Killer whales are at high risk of becoming entangled in fishing gear. Also habitat loss is a major concern.
- Conservation Status: IUCN: Data Deficient
Source: TH
Killer whales FAQs
Q1: Are killer whales aggressive to humans?
Ans: In the vast majority of encounters, killer whales have shown no aggression towards people.
Q2: What is special about killer whales?
Ans: They are highly intelligent and able to coordinate hunting tactics.
