About the Species
Orcas (killer whales) are a species accentuated by brilliance, dominance, and community. They are the most widely distributed and fastest marine mammal in the world. Killer whales are apex predators notorious for being some of the most remarkable ocean hunting connoisseurs however, hunting tactics, diet, and other biological features differ slightly among the different Orca populations or ‘ecotypes’, which are perhaps separate species.
Biology
Physical Traits
- Orcas, often misjudged as part of the whale family, are dolphins. They are the largest of the dolphin family, reaching up to nine metres in length and over 7,000 kilograms in weight.
- They have a unmistakable colouration, with clashing black and white patterns. Hence, their universal nickname of ‘sea-pandas’.
- Their large dorsal (top) fins extend from one to two metres, according to sex (males usually have double the dorsal fin height compared to females).
Reproduction and Lifespan
- Orcas reach maturity for females at about eight years old and for males at about twelve years old. The gestation period of a female is roughly 15-18 months, with a notably low survival rate (Orca calves have a 40% mortality rate).
- There are no explicit seasons for birthing/breeding, although it is believed that females give birth every five years until they peculiarly undergo menopause at about the age of 40.
- Male and female Orcas have considerably different lifespans. While a male is thought to live an average of thirty years, a female has an standard life expectancy of fifty years.