Class
Mammals
Range
Killer whales (orcas) are found in all the oceans of the world. They are seen most often in the Arctic and Antarctic and off the west coast of the United States and Canada.
Habitat
They are found in both coastal waters and out in the open ocean.
Body Traits
They have black and white body markings and large dorsal fins. Males grow to more than 20 feet long and can weigh up to 10 tons (20,000 pounds). Females are smaller.
Habits
Killer whales live in groups of 6 – 30 (or more) whales, called pods. Pods are believed to be led by females.
Diet
They are toothed whales and eat fish, penguins, seals, and other marine mammals, including other whales.
Predators
Their only real predator is man.
Reproduction
Females are pregnant about for 13 - 16 months (gestation) and have 1 calf in the fall. A newborn calf weighs about 400 pounds and stays with its mother 2 or more years.
Lifespan and/or Conservation Status
Killer whales are thought to live about 30 years in the wild. They are listed as Lower Risk - conservation dependent on the CITES List (International List) and endangered on the U.S. Federal Endangered Species List.
Full Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cetacea
Suborder: Odontoceti
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Orcinus
Species: Orcinus orca
Citing This Reference
CITING RESEARCH REFERENCES
When you research information you must cite the reference. Citing for websites is different from citing from books, magazines and periodicals. The style of citing shown here is from the MLA Style Citations (Modern Language Association).
When citing a WEBSITE the general format is as follows.
Author Last Name, First Name(s). "Title: Subtitle of Part of Web Page, if appropriate." Title: Subtitle: Section of Page if appropriate. Sponsoring/Publishing Agency, If Given. Additional significant descriptive information. Date of Electronic Publication or other Date, such as Last Updated. Day Month Year of access <URL>.
All text on Exploring Nature was written by author, Sheri Amsel
Here is an example of citing this page:
Amsel, Sheri. “Mammalia.” Whale (Killer). Exploring Nature Educational Resource. © 2005 - 2010. September 2, 2010. <http://exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=43&detID=1021>
- Coloring Page
- Labeling Page
- Download Hi-Res B&W Diagram
- Download Hi-Res Color Diagram
- Download Hi-Res In-Habitat Poster
