Killer Whale, The Largest Dolphin

Orcas, also known as Killer Whales, rule the sea. They are only endangered by human beings, as no other sea creature could possibly be a threat to them. Orca's are predators that will even attack other types of whales. Even with the danger that they represent, to both humans and other sea life, they are still considered to be one of the most majestic creatures in the ocean, and millions of people travel a long way every year, in hopes of getting a glimpse of them - from a safe distance.

Even though they are called whales, they actually belong to the dolphin family. Since Orcas are between 27 and 33 feet long, and weigh between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds when they are fully grown, with the males being larger than the females, they are indeed the largest dolphins in existence. The males can live as long as 60 years, while the females can live to be as old as 90.

Orcas are black, with patches of white on their skin. Their heads are round, and they have very distinctive beaks. Orcas have a large sickle shaped dorsal fin, and large flippers that are typical of all dolphins.

The dorsal fin is located on the top of the Orcas back, and the males dorsal fin can be up to six feet tall, while the females is only about four feet tall. Orcas can travel at speeds of 30 miles per hour. Orcas live in pods. The pods are small, and operate just as close families do. These pods are made up of 6 to 40 Orcas, and pods stay together throughout their entire lives. Members of the pods work together to protect the young, as well as the sick and injured members.

Orcas breed from winter to early spring near the surface of warm waters. The gestation period is from 16 - 17 months. The babies, called calves, are born between October and March. The calves are able to swim within thirty minutes of being born, and weigh up to 400 pounds. They are typically 6 to 8 feet long at birth. In most cases, each female only gives birth to one calf. Twins are rare. The calf usually stays with it's mother for a year, and sometimes longer.

The members of the pods hunt together, and work together to catch their prey. They survive on a diet of fish, squid, sharks, whales, seals, turtles, octopus, penguins, and sea gulls. Their teeth are typically about 3 inches long, and 1 inch in diameter. An average Orca eats an estimated 550 pounds of food each day or more. While Orcas do not migrate, they may travel hundreds of miles in order to catch seasonal prey.

Orcas have one blow hole, and they breathe air in above the surface of the water through their blow hole, which is located on top of their heads, above their eyes. Orcas are very vocal. They make a variety of sounds that sound much like clicks, whistles, and even screams. These sounds are used to communicate with each other when hunting prey, and for mating purposes. Each individual pod even has it's own accent, which makes it possible for members to recognize each other.

Orcas can be found in tropical waters, as well as arctic waters. Pods can be found in coastal waters, as well as deep waters. Orcas have been found in every ocean in the world, so they are not habitats of any particular climate or area - other than salt water.