Page 74 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Amazingly, each pod of killer whales possible to tell which ecotype they belong More than
has its own dialect – a series of distinct KILLER WHALE to. There are actually three forms of killer
call patterns – which gives the group its Orcinus orca whales: resident (the most recognised), one orca
Class Mammalia
own unique identity. As soon as a baby transient and offshore. Not only do they Take a closer look at the
killer whale (called a calf) is welcomed into each sound different, but they also look different populations of killer

the world, the family will use these calls and act in a variety of ways. They don’t whale in the world
more frequently than ever. This is so that associate with one another and one day we
Offshore
the newborn can master the lingo, just might even be able to distinguish them as Distinguishing features:
Territory All oceans
like human parents use repetition to teach Diet Carnivore separate species. However, the one thing Smaller in size and females have

their children how to talk. Mothers share Lifespan 50-80 years they will always have in common is their rounded dorsal fin tips

Adult weight Up to 5,443kg Diet: Sharks, fish
valuable life lessons with their calves and unmatched hunting methods that they
/ 6tn Commonly found: North-east
discipline them from as young as two days Conservation status pass to their young. Sometimes the adults Pacific and Vancouv er Island.

old with a tooth scratch, or by using their will injure their prey and then release it near Their name gives away their love
bodies to restrict the baby’s movement. the juvenile whales to give them a sporting of travelling far from shore.
Communicating via distinct clicks and DATA DEFICIENT chance of catching their dinner. Transient
whistles also helps to hammer the message Despite actually belonging to the Distinguishing features:
Females have a triangular
home even further. dolphin family, killer whales can grow

dorsal fin
An orca’s voice helps it find supper in the fi rst place. to a staggering size of 9.7 metres (32 feet) and weigh Diet: Marine mammals

To enable the creatures to navigate the murky depths over 5,500 kilograms (12,100 pounds). Dare to peek Commonly found: Coastal

of the ocean, killer whales emit a clicking sound that inside their jaws and you’ll find over 40 spiky teeth up waters of the north-east Pacific,
usually in smaller groups of six.
travels under the water, bounces off an object and then to 13 centimetres (five inches) in length, each of which

returns with revealing information about the object’s size, is designed to bear down on blubbery flesh, ripping it Resident

Distinguishing features:
shape and distance. This incredible technique is known as apart without the need to chew. They are positioned so
Females usually have a rounded
echolocation and helps orcas track down their favourite that the upper teeth fall into the gaps between the lower dorsal fin

kind of fish – chinook salmon. Once they are locked onto set, which help to lock the prey in place. It’s defi nitely Diet: Fish, sometimes squid

their target, the incredible orcas appear to go into stealth an advantage when the favourite meals of transient and Commonly found: Coastal
waters of the north-east Pacific.

mode so as to not give the game away too soon. offshore types tend to wriggle, including seals, penguins,

They live on a diet of fish and
Not all orcas have the same diet, however, and just as sharks and other whales. They’ve even been known to move in matrilineal groups.
their unique dialects differentiate between pods, it’s also take on great white sharks and blue whales, the latter
“Once they are locked onto their target, the
Canada
incredible orcas appear to go into stealth mode
Vancouver Island
so as to not give the game away too soon” Pacifi c USA
Killer features Dorsal fi n
An orca steers using the

The impressive physical attributes that dorsal fin, which can reach
up to a staggering 1.8
make the orca such a natural hunter metres (six feet) for males.
Blowhole
Air enters the
lungs through
the blowhole
and muscles
keep it covered
under the
water.
Echolocation
over eye
Orcas have
excellent eyesight,
but echolocation
is their best
navigation tool.
Pectoral fi n

The fins on
either side are
used to touch
and steer.
Fluke
An important part to the killer 40 sharp teeth
whale’s vital hunting manoeuvres, These are positioned
the tail propels the whale through so that the upper teeth
the water at top speed, enabling it fall into the gaps of the
to also balance as it floats upright, lower set, locking prey in

peering cautiously. place so killers can drag
their victim underwater.
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