Killer Whales (Orcas)

Killer Whales Latest News

Recently, officials said that more than 150 false killer whales are stranded on a remote beach on Australia’s island state of Tasmania.

About Killer Whales

• It is also known as Orcas which is found across the world.
• 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”.
• 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.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Data Deficient

Killer Whales FAQs

Q1: Why is it called a killer whale?

Ans: Killer whales gained their common name because some types prey on other whales.

Q2: How do killer whales sleep?

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Ans: This type of sleep is known as unihemispheric sleep as only one brain hemisphere sleeps at a time. 

Q3: What is special about killer whales?

Ans: Killer whales often use a coordinated hunting strategy and work as a team to catch prey. They are considered an apex predator, eating at the top of the food web.

Source: TH