It’s World Orca Week so here’s a few things you may not know about the ocean’s top predator
It’s World Orca Week so here’s a few things you may not know about the ocean’s top predator.Orcas, often referred to as killer whales, are a toothed whale but are technically the largest member of the dolphin family.There are three main types of killer whales in the North Pacific: Resident, transient and offshore. There are 10 different types around the world.Females reach sexual maturity when they are between 10 and 13 years old.
As of Jan. 9, there were 55 orcas in captivity worldwide, 29 of which were captive-born. The second-oldest living killer whale in captivity is known as Tokitae. Captured at age 4, Tokitae has been in a Miami aquarium for 50 years. In March, plans were announced to potentially release her back to the wild and the pods of Southern resident orcas. No release date has been set.
Corky II, at SeaWorld San Diego, is believed to be the oldest in captivity at age 57-58. She was the first to give birth in captivity but none of her seven offspring survived to adulthood.Killer whales are highly social, and most live in pods of about 20 or more animals. Killer whales rely on underwater sound to feed, communicate and navigate. Pod members communicate with each other through clicks, whistles and pulsed calls. Each pod in the eastern North Pacific possesses a unique set of calls that are learned and culturally transmitted among individuals.
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