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- Courtesy of National Marine Fisheries Service
- Killer whales playing
Killer whales or orcas are the largest of the dolphins. Like other odontocetes or toothed whales they have one blowhole and are able to use echolocation, which is similar to SONAR, to navigate and locate prey. There are three specialized subpopulations of these whales that differ genetically, physically, in foraging behaviors, diet, and in social organization—residents in the North Pacific divided into northern and southern, transients, and offshore. A great deal is known about residents which have been studied for 35 years. Little is known about the offshore animals that roam the open ocean, and extensive research is being done to learn more about and to identify transients. Abaxial is a test word.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
Mostly sporadic in all regions of the world ocean from tropical to temperate zones to the edge of polar ice packs. Small concentrations off Antarctica, northern Japan, Iceland, Norway, Alaska, Washington, and British Columbia.
- Amazing Facts
Who’s on top?: Orcas use acrobatic and other behaviors to communicate dominance and position in their social groups. They slap their tail against the water, butt heads, snap jaws, bite, tooth-scratch, and engage in other vigorous postures and gestures. Tooth scratches may be deep enough to leave permanent scars. Mothers discipline their calves by corralling them and by tooth-scratching.
- At the Aquarium
Due to the space requirements for these intelligent and dynamic animals, we do not exhibit live whales or dolphins. Orcas (killer whales) are featured in Whales: a Journey with Giants (a large-scale multimedia presentation), signage and in the Passport, a visitor’s guide.