| Orcas, also known as Killer Whales, rule the sea. They | | | | Orcas breed from winter to early spring near the |
| are only endangered by human beings, as no other | | | | surface of warm waters. The gestation period is from |
| sea creature could possibly be a threat to them. | | | | 16 - 17 months. The babies, called calves, are born |
| Orca's are predators that will even attack other types | | | | between October and March. The calves are able to |
| of whales. Even with the danger that they represent, | | | | swim within thirty minutes of being born, and weigh up |
| to both humans and other sea life, they are still | | | | to 400 pounds. They are typically 6 to 8 feet long at |
| considered to be one of the most majestic creatures | | | | birth. In most cases, each female only gives birth to |
| in the ocean, and millions of people travel a long way | | | | one calf. Twins are rare. The calf usually stays with it's |
| every year, in hopes of getting a glimpse of them - | | | | mother for a year, and sometimes longer. |
| from a safe distance. | | | | The members of the pods hunt together, and work |
| Even though they are called whales, they actually | | | | together to catch their prey. They survive on a diet of |
| belong to the dolphin family. Since Orcas are between | | | | fish, squid, sharks, whales, seals, turtles, octopus, |
| 27 and 33 feet long, and weigh between 8,000 and | | | | penguins, and sea gulls. Their teeth are typically about |
| 12,000 pounds when they are fully grown, with the | | | | 3 inches long, and 1 inch in diameter. An average Orca |
| males being larger than the females, they are indeed | | | | eats an estimated 550 pounds of food each day or |
| the largest dolphins in existence. The males can live as | | | | more. While Orcas do not migrate, they may travel |
| long as 60 years, while the females can live to be as | | | | hundreds of miles in order to catch seasonal prey. |
| old as 90. | | | | Orcas have one blow hole, and they breathe air in |
| Orcas are black, with patches of white on their skin. | | | | above the surface of the water through their blow |
| Their heads are round, and they have very distinctive | | | | hole, which is located on top of their heads, above their |
| beaks. Orcas have a large sickle shaped dorsal fin, | | | | eyes. Orcas are very vocal. They make a variety of |
| and large flippers that are typical of all dolphins. | | | | sounds that sound much like clicks, whistles, and even |
| The dorsal fin is located on the top of the Orcas back, | | | | screams. These sounds are used to communicate |
| and the males dorsal fin can be up to six feet tall, while | | | | with each other when hunting prey, and for mating |
| the females is only about four feet tall. Orcas can | | | | purposes. Each individual pod even has it's own accent, |
| travel at speeds of 30 miles per hour. | | | | which makes it possible for members to recognize |
| Orcas live in pods. The pods are small, and operate | | | | each other. |
| just as close families do. These pods are made up of | | | | Orcas can be found in tropical waters, as well as |
| 6 to 40 Orcas, and pods stay together throughout their | | | | arctic waters. Pods can be found in coastal waters, as |
| entire lives. Members of the pods work together to | | | | well as deep waters. Orcas have been found in every |
| protect the young, as well as the sick and injured | | | | ocean in the world, so they are not habitats of any |
| members. | | | | particular climate or area - other than salt water. |