Killer whale photograph

Killer Whale

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Trophic level Carnivorous
Scientific nameOrcinus orca
LifespanFemale: 29 years (In captivity), Male: 17 years (In captivity)
MassMale: 3,600 – 5,400 kg (Adult), Female: 1,400 – 2,700 kg (Adult)
LengthMale: 6 – 8 m, Female: 5 – 7 m
Did you knowAs is famously known, orcas are black with white spots, usually around their eyes and belly.
Date of Reg.
Date of Upd.
ID683278
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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

Atlantic orcas 'learning from adults' to target boats
Aug 2,2023 12:11 pm

... 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

Orca mothers keep 5-tonne sons out of trouble
Jul 20,2023 11:30 am

... 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

Killer whale boat attack videos might not be what they seem
Jun 23,2023 7:51 pm

... 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

Miami Seaquarium is returning Lolita the killer whale to her home waters
Apr 1,2023 3:10 am

...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

Orca mothers make 'lifelong sacrifice' for sons
Feb 8,2023 10:21 pm

... Rearing a son significantly reduced a female Killer Whale s chance of reproducing in the future...

Celebration as the Oscars ceremony returns to Hollywood

Celebration as the Oscars ceremony returns to Hollywood
Mar 27,2022 4:01 pm

... 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

'Toxic chemical cocktail' passed to baby porpoises
Feb 16,2020 8:48 am

... 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...

'Toxic chemical cocktail' passed to baby porpoises

Feb 16,2020 8:48 am

Stranded porpoise on a beach in Wales

Baby porpoises in waters off the UK are being exposed to a cocktail of chemicals in their mother's milk.

Research found The Most potent pollutants, which may be toxic to The Brain , are passed from mother to Calf .

The chemicals are among the 200 or so polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which accumulate in the bodies of dolphins, porpoises and whales.

PCBs were once used in plastics and paints. Banned decades ago, they hang around in The Environment .

The toxins that linger longest in A Mother 's body - and are considered more poisonous to The Brain and Nervous System - are transferred to infants in milk, a study found.

"It's a tragic irony that juvenile porpoises are being exposed to a toxic cocktail of chemicals during feeding - When all they're supposed to be getting are the vital nutrients they need for the crucial developmental stage of their life," said Rosie Williams of ZSL's Institute of Zoology and Brunel University London.

What is The Legacy of PCBs?

PCBs have been linked with A Number of risks to whales and dolphins, particularly in the early stages of life. A recent found dolphins living in the English Channel were exposed to a "cocktail of pollutants", which are passed down from mother to Calf .

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. PCBs could lead to The Disappearance of half of The World 's populations of killer whales from The Most heavily contaminated areas within a period of just 30 to 50 Years , last year.

What did the research find?

The study looked at levels of More Than 200 chemical pollutants that are collectively known as PCBs in hundreds of harbour porpoises stranded off the coasts of Scotland, England and Wales.

Juveniles had the highest levels of chemicals thought to be most toxic to The Brain and Nervous System .

It's vital to learn more about PCB exposure in juvenile animals "to mitigate the impact of these dangerous chemicals on populations", said Prof Susan Jobling of Brunel University London.

Populations of harbour porpoises around the UK are believed to be stable, though they face threats from pollution, accidental fishing and infection. The Situation is much more dire for killer whales, which are down to a handful of individuals.

"We only have eight killer whales left of our resident population," said Rosie Williams. "This kind of work can be used to inform policy and conservation for those much more threatened species. "

The latest research is published in the journal.

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environment, pollution, oceans, dolphins

Source of news: bbc.com

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