Facts about Killer Whales: Life Cycle and Habitat

Contrary to common belief, a killer whale is in fact a type of dolphin. It is known by different names like the Orca, Sea Wolf, Blackfish or Grampus. The name 'Orca', meaning sea monsters, was given to them by the Romans.

Evolution and Life Span

Killer whales or the 'Orcinus orca' are the largest of the dolphin family and one of the most dangerous creatures alive. An article in 'The New York Times' in 1929 describes these whales as, 'The most vicious and sinister of living creatures'. These giant sea monsters, weigh up to 6 tons, and have a life span ranging from 50 to 80 years. The female gender has a longer life span. Females can live up to the age of 100 years, while some males live up to the age of 70 years. Killer whales are the most dangerous mammals inhabiting the earth.

They have a life cycle similar to human beings or any other animal. A male is called a bull and the female is called a cow. On mating, they give birth to a calf whale, just as other mammals reproduce. The killer whales have a rapid and an excellent adaptability to their habitat. Usually they reproduce once in every 5 years. Therefore, a single cub is nursed and taken care of, quite effectively. They have the most civilized methods of raising their young ones, similar to human beings. Killer whales live in pods, and collectively raise and feed their young ones.

Habitat and Food Influences

Killer whales are usually found in cold, coastal waters around the world, though their presence has been traced from the polar regions to the equatorial belt. They have a large population in the northern Pacific basin, coastal areas of Washington State, Johnstone Strait and California. A large number of Killer whales are also found near Norway, coastal waters of Argentina, Iceland and the Antarctic regions, although there were rare sightings in many places across the globe. Generations of human beings have been scared with their encounters and stories of these mammals. They are amongst the world's most powerful predators, living and hunting in groups. Though their exact population is not known, a region-wise estimate is made to determine their numbers. The Antarctic region has the maximum number ranging from 70,000 to 180,000. The coastal waters near North America and Alaskan region have an average count of 250-275.

Migration of a species is subject to their prey's living and migration habits. Fish and marine mammals are the preferred choice of orca's food, although the diet is a varied mix of seals, sea lions, reptiles and walruses. Even polar bears, birds and penguins have been victims of killer whale attacks.

Interesting Facts about Killer Whales

A small query about the orca, usually a speculation among many is: How to identify a killer whale? These creatures never travel or swim in the waters alone. They have a close 'social circle'. They travel in huge pods ranging from a two-generation group to a group consisting of almost five generations. They always hunt in groups. They are characterized by distinctive white, black and gray patches. The colors create a unique blend to hide themselves from their potential targets and launch surprise attacks. Quite often, the prey has no idea about its proximity to a killer whale. So, the next time you venture the coastal waters, make sure you are not amongst a whole breed of these black and white monsters.

Another very interesting feature of killer whales is their communication system. They use a technique referred to as 'echolocation' to hunt down and navigate their way even in the darkness of the ocean. They emit high-frequency waves which bounce back from the prey or an obstructing surface. The reflected wave signals are a sufficient information for them to determine the distance and direction of their prey. The jaws of this mammal act as receptors which direct the signals to its inner ears. This capability makes it adept at traveling and hunting in the dark.

A rare characteristic of the orca is that the entire traveling pod breathes together in unison. Many people believe it sprays water through the blowhole; an opening for breathing. The fact is that a killer whale shoots out a jet of carbon dioxide which comes out in the form of a mist.

They were subject to commercial whaling (mass hunt for whales) many times in recent history. The US government had ordered the slaughter of a large number of orcas in the 1950s, on request from the Icelandic government. The reason was that the fishing industry of Iceland was suffering huge losses since killer whales feasted on all the fish. Whaling is no longer a practice, on account of global efforts to maintain marine life.

A number of movies like 'Orca, The Killer Whale' or the 'Jaws' series have immortalized the being. These animals have also been a subject of a number of studies, plays and epics. They are a huge hit amongst the marine aquariums and sea observatories due to their intelligence, beauty and maneuvering skills. Killer Whales must be respected and cared for, because they are a beautiful aspect of our ecological system.