Page 82 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Ocean’s brainiacs

Killer whales

Killer whales have the second-largest
brains among ocean dwellers -

but what do they use it for?

With their instantly recognisable turns often to get a bite. These whales
colouring and huge triangle-shaped have even been known to rock fl oating
dorsal fin – up to 1.8-metre (six-foot) ice from beneath to wash seals off their

high in some males – orcas look every perches and into a hungry mouth!
inch the predator. These animals are Arctic and Antarctic life is easy for
classed as dolphins, and have incredibly an orca – thick layers of blubber help
clever methods of communication that to keep out the chill and orcas are
they use during hunting and feeding. constantly active. Killer whales spend a
Often found living in family pods, lot of time at the surface, and engage
orcas like to eat penguins and seals. in plenty of spyhopping – where the
They hunt as a close-knit group to whale sticks its head above the surface –
surround and confuse prey, taking it in breaching and tail-splashing.

KILLER WHALE
Orcinus orca
Class Mammalia

Territory Found in all the
world’s oceans
Diet Seals, sea lions, penguins
Lifespan (in wild) 50-80 years
Adult weight Up to 5,400kg
(11,900lb)
Conservation Status

DATA DEFICIENT

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