Orcas
Scientific name: Orcinus orca
Family name: Delphinidae
Classification: Mammal
IUCN status: Data deficient
Lifespan (in wild): 50-90 years
Lifespan (in captivity) females= 29 yrs, males= 17 yrs
Weight: Males up to 9,000kg. Females
up to 5,500kg
Head and body length: Males up to
9.8m. Females up to 8.5m
Top speed: 48km/h
Diet: Carnivore
Habitat: Ocean
The orcas white underside blends with the light coming down into the sea from the surface, making it hard to spot from below. Such cool camouflage means prey such like fish, penguins and seals are likely to miss the danger heading their way. Crafty, eh?
Orcas are also know as killer whales, a name that comes from their scientificname: Orcinus orca. Long ago, sailors referred to these massive creatures as “whale killers”this is why they are called killer whales! In Spanish,they‘re referred to as ballena asesina, which means “assassin whale” But most people prefer orca!
Humans are the only things to hunt killer whales making orcas apex predators Orcas feed on: sea birds, squid, octupuses, sea turtles, sharks, rays and fish. They also eat most marine mammals, such as seals and dugongs