67-671: Marineland may refer to: Marineland of Antibes , an oceanarium in Antibes, France Marineland of Canada , an oceanarium/amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario Marineland Catalunya , a water park in Spain Marineland of Florida , an oceanarium in Florida Marineland, Florida , the community where the oceanarium is located Marineland Mallorca ,
134-671: A dolphinarium in Spain Marineland of New Zealand , an oceanarium in Napier, New Zealand; closed in 2008 Marineland of South Australia , an oceanarium in West Beach, South Australia; closed 1988 Marineland of the Pacific , an oceanarium on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, California; closed 1987 See also [ edit ] Marine World (disambiguation) Waterland (disambiguation) Topics referred to by
201-580: A 19-year old male orca born within captivity inside the park. The park was deluged with mud, also killing sharks, sea lions and turtles, because it was left without electricity to pump in clean water. The largest Orca pool complex in the Europe, with a capacity of 11,000,000 US gallons (42,000 m ) of water and a panoramic glass wall 64 metres (210 ft) long. Marineland holds two orcas : Wikie and Keijo. The two orcas were supposed to be transported to Japan in 2024 but French NGO One Voice obtained that
268-972: A better chance of preventing their prey from escaping, which is killed by being thrown around, rammed and jumped on. Arctic orcas may attack beluga whales and narwhals stuck in pools enclosed by sea ice, the former are also driven into shallower water where juveniles are grabbed. By contrast, orcas appear to be wary of pilot whales , which have been recorded to mob and chase them. Nevertheless, possible predation on long-finned pilot whales has been recorded in Iceland , and one study suggests short-finned pilot whales are among Caribbean Orcas' prey. Killer whales have been recorded attacking short-finned pilot whales in Peru as well. Orcas also prey on larger species such as sperm whales , grey whales , humpback whales and minke whales . On three separate occasions in 2019 orcas were recorded to have killed blue whales off
335-448: A dead stranded animal in the Bay of Greifswald that had attracted a great deal of local interest. The orca is one of 35 species in the oceanic dolphin family , which first appeared about 11 million years ago. The orca lineage probably branched off shortly thereafter. Although it has morphological similarities with the false killer whale , the pygmy killer whale and the pilot whales ,
402-582: A diverse diet. Individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. This includes a variety of fish , sharks , rays , and marine mammals such as seals and other dolphins and whales . They are highly social ; some populations are composed of highly stable matrilineal family groups (pods). Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviors, often specific to a particular group and passed along from generation to generation, are considered to be manifestations of animal culture . The International Union for Conservation of Nature assesses
469-501: A dramatic impact on prey species. However, whales in tropical areas appear to have more generalized diets due to lower food productivity. Orcas spend most of their time at shallow depths, but occasionally dive several hundred metres depending on their prey. Fish-eating orcas prey on around 30 species of fish. Some populations in the Norwegian and Greenland sea specialize in herring and follow that fish's autumnal migration to
536-466: A hotel ( Marineland Resort ). It is the property of the Spanish multinational company Parques Reunidos , whose main shareholder are the investment funds EQT Partners and Elliott Management. Since 2017, the director is Pascal Picot. It is one of the four French dolphinariums and one of the two European dolphinariums presenting orcas . With over 850,000 visitors in 2018, it's the most visited site in
603-523: A matriline is 5.5 animals. Because females can reach age 90, as many as four generations travel together. These matrilineal groups are highly stable. Individuals separate for only a few hours at a time, to mate or forage. With one exception, an orca named Luna , no permanent separation of an individual from a resident matriline has been recorded. Closely related matrilines form loose aggregations called pods, usually consisting of one to four matrilines. Unlike matrilines, pods may separate for weeks or months at
670-486: A mistranslation of the Spanish "asesino de ballenas" (literally "whale killer"), reflecting their historical predation on whales. Since the 1960s, the use of "orca" instead of "killer whale" has steadily grown in common use. The genus name Orcinus means "of the kingdom of the dead", or "belonging to Orcus ". Ancient Romans originally used orca (pl. orcae ) for these animals, possibly borrowing Ancient Greek ὄρυξ ( óryx ), which referred (among other things) to
737-540: A more limited repertoire. Individuals likely learn their dialect through contact with pod members. Family-specific calls have been observed more frequently in the days following a calf's birth, which may help the calf learn them. Dialects are probably an important means of maintaining group identity and cohesiveness. Similarity in dialects likely reflects the degree of relatedness between pods, with variation growing over time. When pods meet, dominant call types decrease and subset call types increase. The use of both call types
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#1732781049410804-456: A protective circle around their calves with their flukes facing outwards, using them to repel the attackers. There is also evidence that humpback whales will defend against or mob orcas who are attacking either humpback calves or juveniles as well as members of other species. Prior to the advent of industrial whaling , great whales may have been the major food source for orcas. The introduction of modern whaling techniques may have aided orcas by
871-742: A small group, herring are often caught using carousel feeding : the orcas force the herring into a tight ball by releasing bursts of bubbles or flashing their white undersides. They then slap the ball with their tail flukes, stunning or killing up to 15 fish at a time, then eating them one by one. Carousel feeding has been documented only in the Norwegian orca population, as well as some oceanic dolphin species. In New Zealand, sharks and rays appear to be important prey, including eagle rays , long-tail and short-tail stingrays , common threshers , smooth hammerheads , blue sharks , basking sharks , and shortfin makos . With sharks, orcas may herd them to
938-549: A study of cytochrome b gene sequences indicates that its closest extant relatives are the snubfin dolphins of the genus Orcaella . However, a more recent (2018) study places the orca as a sister taxon to the Lissodelphininae, a clade that includes Lagenorhynchus and Cephalorhynchus . In contrast, a 2019 phylogenetic study found the orca to be the second most basal member of the Delphinidae, with only
1005-439: A threat to humans, and no fatal attack has ever been documented in their natural habitat. There have been cases of captive orcas killing or injuring their handlers at marine theme parks. Orcas also feature strongly in the mythologies of indigenous cultures, and their reputation in different cultures ranges from being the souls of humans to merciless killers. Orcas, despite being dolphins, are commonly called "killer whales" due to
1072-798: A time. DNA testing indicates resident males nearly always mate with females from other pods. Clans, the next level of resident social structure, are composed of pods with similar dialects, and common but older maternal heritage. Clan ranges overlap, mingling pods from different clans. The highest association layer is the community, which consists of pods that regularly associate with each other but share no maternal relations or dialects. Transient pods are smaller than resident pods, typically consisting of an adult female and one or two of her offspring. Males typically maintain stronger relationships with their mothers than other females. These bonds can extend well into adulthood. Unlike residents, extended or permanent separation of transient offspring from natal matrilines
1139-540: A variety of techniques designed to stop them, such as the use of unbaited lines as decoys. Once, fishermen placed their boats several miles apart, taking turns retrieving small amounts of their catch, in the hope that the whales would not have enough time to move between boats to steal the catch as it was being retrieved. The tactic worked initially, but the orcas figured it out quickly and split into groups. In other anecdotes, researchers describe incidents in which wild orcas playfully tease humans by repeatedly moving objects
1206-458: A weight of over 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons). Calves at birth weigh about 180 kg (400 lb) and are about 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) long. The skeleton of the orca is typical for an oceanic dolphin, but more robust. With their distinctive pigmentation, adult orcas are seldom confused with any other species. When seen from a distance, juveniles can be confused with false killer whales or Risso's dolphins . The orca
1273-416: A whale species, perhaps a narwhal . As part of the family Delphinidae , the species is more closely related to other oceanic dolphins than to other whales. They are sometimes referred to as "blackfish", a name also used for other whale species. "Grampus" is a former name for the species, but is now seldom used. This meaning of "grampus" should not be confused with the genus Grampus , whose only member
1340-430: Is Risso's dolphin . Orcinus orca is the only recognized extant species in the genus Orcinus , and one of many animal species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae . Konrad Gessner wrote the first scientific description of an orca in his Piscium & aquatilium animantium natura of 1558, part of the larger Historia animalium , based on examination of
1407-681: Is a behaviour in which a whale holds its head above water to view its surroundings. Resident orcas swim alongside porpoises and other dolphins . Orcas will engage in surplus killing , that is, killing that is not designed to be for food. As an example, a BBC film crew witnessed orca in British Columbia playing with a male Steller sea lion to exhaustion, but not eating it. Orcas are notable for their complex societies. Only elephants and higher primates live in comparably complex social structures . Due to orcas' complex social bonds, many marine experts have concerns about how humane it
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#17327810494101474-871: Is called biphonation. The increased subset call types may be the distinguishing factor between pods and inter-pod relations. Dialects also distinguish types. Resident dialects contain seven to 17 (mean = 11) distinctive call types. All members of the North American west coast transient community express the same basic dialect, although minor regional variation in call types is evident. Preliminary research indicates offshore orcas have group-specific dialects unlike those of residents and transients. Norwegian and Icelandic herring -eating orcas appear to have different vocalizations for activities like hunting. A population that live in McMurdo Sound , Antarctica have 28 complex burst-pulse and whistle calls. Orcas have
1541-605: Is common, with juveniles and adults of both sexes participating. Some males become "rovers" and do not form long-term associations, occasionally joining groups that contain reproductive females. As in resident clans, transient community members share an acoustic repertoire, although regional differences in vocalizations have been noted. As with residents and transients, the lifestyle of these whales appears to reflect their diet; fish-eating orcas off Norway have resident-like social structures, while mammal-eating orcas in Argentina and
1608-590: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Marineland of Antibes The Marineland of Antibes is a theme park founded in 1970 by Count Roland de La Poype in Antibes ( Alpes-Maritimes ), in the French Riviera . Covering 26 hectares, it includes a marine zoological park with dolphinarium , a water park ( Aquasplash ), a children's play park ( Kid's Island ), mini golf ( Adventure Golf ) and
1675-591: Is difficult to estimate, but they clearly prefer higher latitudes and coastal areas over pelagic environments. Areas which serve as major study sites for the species include the coasts of Iceland , Norway, the Valdés Peninsula of Argentina, the Crozet Islands , New Zealand and parts of the west coast of North America, from California to Alaska . Systematic surveys indicate the highest densities of orcas (>0.40 individuals per 100 km ) in
1742-817: Is likely to be the result of scavenging remains dumped by whalers. One orca was also attacked by its companions after being shot. Although resident orcas have never been observed to eat other marine mammals, they occasionally harass and kill porpoises and seals for no apparent reason. Some dolphins recognize resident orcas as harmless and remain in the same area. Orcas do consume seabirds but are more likely to kill and leave them uneaten. Penguin species recorded as prey in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters include gentoo penguins , chinstrap penguins , king penguins and rockhopper penguins . Orcas in many areas may prey on cormorants and gulls . A captive orca at Marineland of Canada discovered it could regurgitate fish onto
1809-442: Is mainly limited to surfacing activities and milling (slow swimming with no apparent direction) after a kill. All members of a resident pod use similar calls, known collectively as a dialect . Dialects are composed of specific numbers and types of discrete, repetitive calls. They are complex and stable over time. Call patterns and structure are distinctive within matrilines. Newborns produce calls similar to their mothers, but have
1876-427: Is mostly black but with sharply bordered white areas. The entire lower jaw is white and from here, the colouration stretches across the underside to the genital area; narrowing and expanding some, and extending into lateral flank patches close to the end. The tail fluke (fin) is also white on the underside, while the eyes have white oval-shaped patches behind and above them, and a grey or white "saddle patch" exists behind
1943-426: Is to keep them in captivity . Resident orcas in the eastern North Pacific live in particularly complex and stable social groups. Unlike any other known mammal social structure, resident whales live with their mothers for their entire lives. These family groups are based on matrilines consisting of the eldest female (matriarch) and her sons and daughters, and the descendants of her daughters, etc. The average size of
2010-492: The Atlantic white-sided dolphin ( Leucopleurus acutus ) being more basal. The three to five types of orcas may be distinct enough to be considered different races , subspecies , or possibly even species (see Species problem ). The IUCN reported in 2008, "The taxonomy of this genus is clearly in need of review, and it is likely that O. orca will be split into a number of different species or at least subspecies over
2077-540: The Crozet Islands behave more like transients. Orcas of the same sex and age group may engage in physical contact and synchronous surfacing. These behaviours do not occur randomly among individuals in a pod, providing evidence of "friendships". Like all cetaceans , orcas depend heavily on underwater sound for orientation, feeding, and communication. They produce three categories of sounds: clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls. Clicks are believed to be used primarily for navigation and discriminating prey and other objects in
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2144-510: The Crozet Islands , mothers push their calves onto the beach, waiting to pull the youngster back if needed. In March 2023, a female orca was spotted with a newborn pilot whale in Snæfellsnes . People who have interacted closely with orcas offer numerous anecdotes demonstrating the whales' curiosity, playfulness, and ability to solve problems. Alaskan orcas have not only learned how to steal fish from longlines , but have also overcome
2211-400: The Crozet Islands , orcas feed on South American sea lions and southern elephant seals in shallow water, even beaching temporarily to grab prey before wriggling back to the sea. Beaching, usually fatal to cetaceans, is not an instinctive behaviour, and can require years of practice for the young. Orcas can then release the animal near juvenile whales, allowing the younger whales to practice
2278-587: The Faroe Islands . In the Antarctic, orcas range up to the edge of the pack ice and are believed to venture into the denser pack ice, finding open leads much like beluga whales in the Arctic. However, orcas are merely seasonal visitors to Arctic waters, and do not approach the pack ice in the summer. With the rapid Arctic sea ice decline in the Hudson Strait , their range now extends deep into
2345-513: The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region . Since 2010, it has been accused of cetacean captivity, with the claim that dolphinariums can't assure proper & healthy captivity conditions for that species. On July 25, 2006, the park was sold to the Spanish amusement park group Parques Reunidos for about € 75 million. In October 2015, a fatal case of severe flooding and inclement weather conditions hit Antibes, killing Valentin ,
2412-477: The nominate subspecies . Four types have been documented in the Antarctic , Types A–D. Two dwarf species, named Orcinus nanus and Orcinus glacialis , were described during the 1980s by Soviet researchers, but most cetacean researchers are skeptical about their status. Complete mitochondrial sequencing indicates the two Antarctic groups (types B and C) should be recognized as distinct species, as should
2479-513: The 1990s was controversially attributed by some scientists to orca predation, although with no direct evidence. The decline of sea otters followed a decline in seal populations, which in turn may be substitutes for their original prey, now decimated by industrial whaling. Orcas have been observed preying on terrestrial mammals , such as moose swimming between islands off the northwest coast of North America. Orca cannibalism has also been reported based on analysis of stomach contents, but this
2546-401: The 2000s that 2,321 orcas were in the seas around Japan. Orcas are apex predators , meaning that they themselves have no natural predators. They are sometimes called "wolves of the sea", because they hunt in groups like wolf packs. Orcas hunt varied prey including fish, cephalopods , mammals, seabirds , and sea turtles . Different populations or ecotypes may specialize, and some can have
2613-769: The North Pacific transients, leaving the others as subspecies pending additional data. A 2019 study of Type D orcas also found them to be distinct from other populations and possibly even a unique species. Orcas are the largest extant members of the dolphin family. Males typically range from 6 to 8 m (20 to 26 ft) long and weigh in excess of 6 t (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons). Females are smaller, generally ranging from 5 to 7 m (16 to 23 ft) and weighing about 3 to 4 t (3.0 to 3.9 long tons; 3.3 to 4.4 short tons). Orcas may attain larger sizes as males have been recorded at 9.8 m (32 ft) and females at 8.5 m (28 ft). Large males can reach
2680-489: The Norwegian coast. Salmon account for 96% of northeast Pacific residents' diet, including 65% of large, fatty Chinook . Chum salmon are also eaten, but smaller sockeye and pink salmon are not a significant food item. Depletion of specific prey species in an area is, therefore, cause for concern for local populations, despite the high diversity of prey. On average, an orca eats 227 kilograms (500 lb) each day. While salmon are usually hunted by an individual whale or
2747-606: The Shark Tunnel. 43°36′54″N 7°07′30″E / 43.6150°N 7.1250°E / 43.6150; 7.1250 Orca The orca ( Orcinus orca ), or killer whale , is a toothed whale and the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. It is the only extant species in the genus Orcinus and is recognizable by its black-and-white patterned body. A cosmopolitan species , they are found in diverse marine environments, from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tropical seas. Orcas are apex predators with
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2814-470: The age of 10 and reach peak fertility around 20, experiencing periods of polyestrous cycling separated by non-cycling periods of three to 16 months. Females can often breed until age 40, followed by a rapid decrease in fertility. Orcas are among the few animals that undergo menopause and live for decades after they have finished breeding. The lifespans of wild females average 50 to 80 years. Some are claimed to have lived substantially longer: Granny (J2)
2881-409: The court prohibit Marineland from relocating the orcas before the end of the independent assessment. As of April 2020, Marineland housed a total of 12 bottlenose dolphins . The names of the dolphins are: Malou (F), Sharky (F), Rocky (M), Dam (M), Neo (M), Nala (F), Tux (M), Ania (F), Jo (F), Kai (M), Luà (F), and Ollie (F). A live demonstration of the training techniques used with all the mammals in
2948-474: The decline of these as well. Other marine mammal prey includes seal species such as harbour seals , elephant seals , California sea lions , Steller sea lions , South American sea lions and walruses . Often, to avoid injury, orcas disable their prey before killing and eating it. This may involve throwing it in the air, slapping it with their tails, ramming it, or breaching and landing on it. In steeply banked beaches off Península Valdés , Argentina, and
3015-472: The difficult capture technique on the now-weakened prey. In the Antarctic, type B orcas hunt Weddell seals and other prey by "wave-hunting". They "spy-hop" to locate them on resting on ice floes, and then swim in groups to create waves that wash over the floe. This washes the prey into the water, where other orcas lie in wait. In the Aleutian Islands , a decline in sea otter populations in
3082-400: The dolphin tank while learning more about the animals as taught by trainers. [1] For €69, guests can spend 25 minutes interacting with orcas at "Orca Fjord" through a large panoramic window, with the aid and education of trainers. For €39, guests can spend 20 minutes with sea lions in a private area and two trainers. For €60, guests can don a diving suit and helmet to swim with sharks in
3149-648: The dorsal fin and across the back. Males and females also have different patterns of black and white skin in their genital areas. In newborns, the white areas are yellow or orange coloured. Antarctic orcas may have pale grey to nearly white backs. Some Antarctic orcas are brown and yellow due to diatoms in the water. Both albino and melanistic orcas have been documented. Orca pectoral fins are large and rounded, resembling paddles, with those of males significantly larger than those of females. Dorsal fins also exhibit sexual dimorphism , with those of males about 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) high, more than twice
3216-492: The dorsal fin and the pattern of white or grey in the saddle patch are unique. Published directories contain identifying photographs and names for hundreds of North Pacific animals. Photographic identification has enabled the local population of orcas to be counted each year rather than estimated, and has enabled great insight into life cycles and social structures. Orcas are found in all oceans and most seas. Due to their enormous range , numbers, and density, relative distribution
3283-527: The elevation of Eastern North American resident and transient orcas as distinct species, O. ater and O. rectipinnus respectively. The Society for Marine Mammalogy declined to recognize the two species, citing uncertainty as to whether the types constituted unique species or subspecies. "Pending a more complete global review and revision", the Society provisionally recognized them as subspecies Orcinus orca ater and O. o. rectipinnus , with O. o. orca as
3350-526: The humans are trying to reach, or suddenly start to toss around a chunk of ice after a human throws a snowball. The orca's use of dialects and the passing of other learned behaviours from generation to generation have been described as a form of animal culture . The complex and stable vocal and behavioural cultures of sympatric groups of killer whales ( Orcinus orca ) appear to have no parallel outside humans and represent an independent evolution of cultural faculties. Female orcas begin to mature at around
3417-603: The liver of sharks. In one case a single orca was observed killing and eating a great white shark on its own. Orcas are sophisticated and effective predators of marine mammals . They are recorded to prey on other cetacean species, usually smaller dolphins and porpoises such as common dolphins , bottlenose dolphins , Pacific white-sided dolphins , dusky dolphins , harbour porpoises and Dall's porpoises . While hunting these species, orcas usually have to chase them to exhaustion. For highly social species, orca pods try to separate an individual from its group. Larger groups have
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#17327810494103484-442: The lower teeth when the mouth is closed. The firm middle and back teeth hold prey in place, while the front teeth are inclined slightly forward and outward to protect them from powerful jerking movements. Orcas have good eyesight above and below the water, excellent hearing, and a good sense of touch. They have exceptionally sophisticated echolocation abilities, detecting the location and characteristics of prey and other objects in
3551-583: The next few years." Although large variation in the ecological distinctiveness of different orca groups complicate simple differentiation into types, research off the west coast of North America has identified fish-eating "residents", mammal-eating "transients" and "offshores". Other populations have not been as well studied, although specialized fish and mammal eating orcas have been distinguished elsewhere. Mammal-eating orcas in different regions were long thought likely to be closely related, but genetic testing has refuted this hypothesis. A 2024 study supported
3618-585: The northeast Atlantic around the Norwegian coast, in the north Pacific along the Aleutian Islands , the Gulf of Alaska and in the Southern Ocean off much of the coast of Antarctica . They are considered "common" (0.20–0.40 individuals per 100 km ) in the eastern Pacific along the coasts of British Columbia , Washington and Oregon , in the North Atlantic Ocean around Iceland and
3685-813: The northwest Atlantic. Occasionally, orcas swim into freshwater rivers. They have been documented 100 mi (160 km) up the Columbia River in the United States. They have also been found in the Fraser River in Canada and the Horikawa River in Japan. Migration patterns are poorly understood. Each summer, the same individuals appear off the coasts of British Columbia and Washington. Despite decades of research, where these animals go for
3752-451: The orca's conservation status as data deficient because of the likelihood that two or more orca types are separate species . Some local populations are considered threatened or endangered due to prey depletion, habitat loss , pollution (by PCBs ), capture for marine mammal parks , and conflicts with human fisheries . In late 2005, the southern resident orcas were placed on the U.S. Endangered Species list . Orcas are not usually
3819-633: The park, in which the seal and sea lion trainers disclose some of the "ropes" for preparing the show, to better understand the basis of the relationship between humans and animals. In a 30-metre (98 ft) tunnel through an aquarium containing nearly 2,000,000 litres (530,000 US gal) of water, visitors are surrounded by sharks and manta rays . On June 11, 2021, polar bears Flocke , Indiana, Tala, and Yuma are no longer housed within Mainland, France, having been moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park . For €70, guests can spend 20 minutes wading in
3886-422: The rest of the year remains unknown. Transient pods have been sighted from southern Alaska to central California. Worldwide population estimates are uncertain, but recent consensus suggests a minimum of 50,000 (2006). Local estimates include roughly 25,000 in the Antarctic, 8,500 in the tropical Pacific, 2,250–2,700 off the cooler northeast Pacific and 500–1,500 off Norway. Japan's Fisheries Agency estimated in
3953-417: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Marineland . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marineland&oldid=1086508767 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
4020-524: The second-heaviest brains among marine mammals (after sperm whales , which have the largest brain of any animal). Orcas have more gray matter and more cortical neurons than any mammal, including humans. They can be trained in captivity and are often described as intelligent, although defining and measuring "intelligence" is difficult in a species whose environment and behavioural strategies are very different from those of humans. Orcas imitate others, and seem to deliberately teach skills to their kin. Off
4087-400: The size of the female's, with the male's fin more like an elongated isosceles triangle , whereas the female's is more curved. In the skull, adult males have longer lower jaws than females, as well as larger occipital crests . The snout is blunt and lacks the beak of other species. The orca's teeth are very strong, and its jaws exert a powerful grip; the upper teeth fall into the gaps between
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#17327810494104154-404: The sound of exploding harpoons indicating the availability of prey to scavenge, and compressed air inflation of whale carcasses causing them to float, thus exposing them to scavenging. However, the devastation of great whale populations by unfettered whaling has possibly reduced their availability for orcas, and caused them to expand their consumption of smaller marine mammals, thus contributing to
4221-405: The south coast of Western Australia, including an estimated 18–22-meter (59–72 ft) individual. Large whales require much effort and coordination to kill and orcas often target calves. A hunt begins with a chase followed by a violent attack on the exhausted prey. Large whales often show signs of orca attack via tooth rake marks. Pods of female sperm whales sometimes protect themselves by forming
4288-481: The surface and strike them with their tail flukes, while bottom-dwelling rays are cornered, pinned to the ground and taken to the surface. In other parts of the world, orcas have preyed on broadnose sevengill sharks , small whale sharks and even great white sharks . Competition between orcas and white sharks is probable in regions where their diets overlap. The arrival of orcas in an area can cause white sharks to flee and forage elsewhere. Orcas appear to target
4355-458: The surface, attracting sea gulls, and then eat the birds. Four others then learned to copy the behaviour. Day-to-day orca behaviour generally consists of foraging , travelling, resting and socializing. Orcas frequently engage in surface behaviour such as breaching (jumping completely out of the water) and tail-slapping. These activities may have a variety of purposes, such as courtship, communication, dislodging parasites , or play . Spyhopping
4422-483: The surrounding environment, but are also commonly heard during social interactions. Northeast Pacific resident groups tend to be much more vocal than transient groups in the same waters. Residents feed primarily on Chinook and chum salmon, which are insensitive to orca calls (inferred from the audiogram of Atlantic salmon). In contrast, the marine mammal prey of transients hear whale calls well and thus transients are typically silent. Vocal behaviour in these whales
4489-577: The water by emitting clicks and listening for echoes, as do other members of the dolphin family. The mean body temperature of the orca is 36 to 38 °C (97 to 100 °F). Like most marine mammals, orcas have a layer of insulating blubber ranging from 7.6 to 10 cm (3.0 to 3.9 in) thick beneath the skin. The pulse is about 60 heartbeats per minute when the orca is at the surface, dropping to 30 beats/min when submerged. An individual orca can often be identified from its dorsal fin and saddle patch. Variations such as nicks, scratches, and tears on
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