Killer Whale
| Use attributes for filter ! | |
| Trophic level | Carnivorous |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Orcinus orca |
| Lifespan | Female: 29 years (In captivity), Male: 17 years (In captivity) |
| Mass | Male: 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), Female: 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult) |
| Length | Male: 6 – 8 m, Female: 5 – 7 m |
| Did you know | As is famously known, orcas are black with white spots, usually around their eyes and belly. |
| Date of Reg. | |
| Date of Upd. | |
| ID | 683278 |
About Killer Whale
The killer whale or orca is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey.
Atlantic orcas 'learning from adults' to target boats
... He said the orcas, also known as Killer Whales, appeared to be playing a " game" focused on the boats rudders - part of the moveable steering apparatus that sits in the water...
Orca mothers keep 5-tonne sons out of trouble
... Whale menopause puzzleThe work is part of long-term research on these " southern resident" Killer Whales...
Killer whale boat attack videos might not be what they seem
... Next thing you know, a Killer Whale leaps out of the water and hits the boat...
Miami Seaquarium is returning Lolita the killer whale to her home waters
...By Chelsea BaileyBBC News, WashingtonThe oldest Killer Whale in captivity may soon be returned to her home waters in the Pacific Northwest, more than 50 years after her capture...
Orca mothers make 'lifelong sacrifice' for sons
... Rearing a son significantly reduced a female Killer Whale s chance of reproducing in the future...
Celebration as the Oscars ceremony returns to Hollywood
... The to skincare products, books, " age-defying supplements" facial treatments, candles, a personal trainer, a year s supply of healthy meals, a hairbrush, popcorn, bath bombs, and even an inflatable orca or Killer Whale...
'Toxic chemical cocktail' passed to baby porpoises
... Killer Whales face threats from PCBs Meanwhile, one Killer Whale (orca) found dead off Scotland in 2016 contained among the highest levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, ever recorded...
Killer whale boat attack videos might not be what they seem
By Shaun DacostaNewsbeat reporter
TikTok can't seem to get enough of " orca attacks".
A large fin moves towards a vessel, followed by a huge splash. Next thing you know, a Killer Whale leaps out of the water and hits The Boat .
Sounds like The Stuff of nightmares, but it's been a reality for sailors along the Iberian coast of Spain and Portugal.
GT Orca Atlántica (GTOA), which monitors killer whales in the area, recorded 207 interactions in 2022.
Social Media 's been flooded with videos of these encounters, apparently showing The Creatures chasing boats.
There's even been A Number of reports of The Mammals hitting and sinking vessels.
And it seems to be spreading - an in the North Sea This Week .
There are multiple theories about why they're doing it.
'It's fun for them'One of the main ones on Social Media is that the orcas are seeking revenge for White Gladis - a Killer Whale hit by a boat.
That caught on when Alfredo López Fernandez, from GTOA, was quoted as saying a " traumatised orca" had launched the attacks.
But, according to Animal Behaviour experts, it might not be quite how it looks.
" The idea of revenge is a great story, but there's no evidence for it, " says neuroscientist Lori Marino , president of The Whale Sanctuary Project.
" There's never been a case of an orca harming a human being in The Wild .
" If they really wanted to do damage and harm The People on The Boat they could easily do that. "
Instead, Lori tells BBC Newsbeat, it's more likely the apparent attacks " started out as play behaviour" and it's a case of copycat killer whales rather than aggression.
" We're talking about very intelligent beings, and we know that they are social learners, " she says.
" It gets passed Down . . it may be something that's fun for them, and they're gonna keep doing it. "
It's a view shared by Dr Deborah Giles, the science and research director for the non-profit Wild Orca, in Washington State, USA.
She also believes the whales are having fun and " engaging with things in their environment".
" I really feel that it is something about the underside of the sailboat, the keel, or the long portion of The Boat that sticks far Down into the water, " she says.
" There's something About That part of The Boat that seems to be attractive to The Animals . "
Dr Giles is keeping an Open Mind and won't rule out other possibilities.
But it's precisely because whales are so intelligent that she thinks The Attack theory is unlikely.
After All , she points out, if orcas really wanted to take revenge against humans for ill-treatment, why wait Until Now ?
" Whales in this part of The World were heavily targeted in the late 60s, through the mid 70s, for The Marine parks, " she says.
" They've witnessed members of their families being Taken Out of the water and put on a truck never to return.
" If any group of killer whales had a reason to retaliate or seek revenge on humans, that would be this population.
" But we've never seen that. "
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Related TopicsSource of news: bbc.com
Killer whale Photos
