Killer Whales – Facts
Killer whales are some of the largest predatory creatures in the ocean. They are known for being one of the most powerful hunters in the ocean. Their name came from their great teeth, which are used to grab or smash their prey. There are two subspecies of Killer Whale, the Killer whale (Paguristyx maritima) and the Southern killer (Paguristyx maria). In the past, only one of these two subspecies was found in the wild. Because of the lack in record gathering of the Killer whales, it is unknown how common they really are in the wild.
The Southern Killer Whale is said to number around thirty-two in number, with the population growing in numbers with time. Their diet consists mainly on smaller dolphins, but some tend to specialize on certain species of fish. Some feed exclusively on smaller fish, while the others hunt larger marine mammals including seals and other large species of whale. The last subspecies of the Killer whale are known for hunting pods of pilot whales (PT pods), which form flocks in summertime. These species are also considered the dominate predator in this area.
There have been reports that suggest that killer whales in the wild, feed primarily on dolphins. It has also been observed that killer whales, in particular the Southern Killer Whale, sometimes attack and injure small calves. One account says that a calf was killed after its mother was attacked by a killer whale, which resulted in the death of the calf’s father. Such aggressive behavior is highly unnatural, as Killer whales often prey upon smaller and weaker animals.
There are rumors that killer whales may be linked to one of the largest mass strandings of dolphins in history. Although there is no solid evidence so far, some scientists believe that the killer whale population is growing in numbers. In July 2021, the first known case of a female killer whale attacking and killing a calves was documented, in what experts believe to be the aggressive behavior of a young female, which had been separated from her mother and calf by human divers.
Killer whales are the second-most popular aquatic mammal, after cats. Their popularity has increased since their first discovery in the late 1800s. They are very playful animals, which can be seen preying on other marine mammals as well as birds and fish. However, killer whales are one of the most solitary animals in the ocean, with only a few pairs living together in captivity. They have also been observed hunting seals, sharks and birds.
As their name suggests, killer whales are carnivores; however, they prey upon other marine mammals as well, including fish, birds and seals. When they prey, they get their meat directly from the prey using their mouths. Unlike other killer whales, the Southern Killer Whale has been seen attacking and even picking off humpback whales. They have also been observed hunting small ships, big cruise ships and even bigger vessels.