Killer Whales
Are they really deadly?
How well do we know killer whales?
Killer Whales are related to the orca family. They are in the family chordata. Killer Whales can weigh up to 8,000 lbs when adults, and can grow up to 28ft long. They have shiny black and white skin.
Habitat and Food
Their habitat is in the Bering Sea all the way to Southern California. Killer Whales eat sea turtles, rays, fish, shark, and octopuses.
Predators
People are the reason Killer Whale population is lowering and becoming a serious issue. Pollution in the water and also a lower population of their main food source, Chinook Salmon are also other causes of the whale population lowering.
Reproducing
Killer Whales are a polygamous species, meaning they have more than one partner. Male whales reach maturity at 13 while female do at 14 or 15. There is no regular partner for mating because they can mate multiple times a year. The gestation period for female killer whales is 15-18 months and at any time of the year but most commonly during the winter time. The mother only stays and keeps the young safe until they can fend and protect themselves. They are born at the size of 2.6 meters long. Killer Whales can live up to 50 years but most life expectancy is around 35.
Communication
They have multiple ways to communicate with each other including whistles, echo sounds, clicks, pulsed calls, low-frequency pops, and jaw claps. They create these noises by pushing air between their nose and blow hole on the top of their head.