Created on Day 5
Design
Killer whales live in groups called pods. Sometimes the members of the pod will hunt together, surrounding large prey and forcing it into a smaller area before attacking. This hunting technique was likely not part of the original whale kind at creation since all animals were vegetarian until after the Fall of man.
Features
- The killer whale is easily recognized by its black body, white lower jaw and belly, and white patch directly behind the eye.
- Killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin family.
- The most conspicuous external feature of this species is its tall dorsal fin, which can be seen from a great distance.
Fun Facts
- A newborn killer whale calf averages 8 ft (2.4 m) in length and weighs 300–400 lbs (135–180 kg).
- The largest male killer whale known weighed 22,000 lbs (10,000 kg).
- The killer whale is the fastest swimming mammal, attaining speeds up to 30 mph (48 km/h).
- Killer whales survive long periods of time in captivity, and they are easily trained to perform awe-inspiring feats.
CLASS: Mammalia (mammals)
ORDER: Cetacea (dolphins, porpoises, and whales)
FAMILY: Delphinidae (dolphins, killer whales, pilot whales, and relatives)
GENUS/SPECIES: Orcinus orca
Size: Male 19–30 ft (5.8–9.5 m); female 16–22 ft (4.9–7 m)
Weight: Male 8,000–16,000 lbs (3,600–7,300 kg);
female 3,000–8,000 lbs (1,400–3,600 kg)
Diet: Fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and birds
Habitat: Worldwide distribution, but more common in the colder regions of the Arctic and Antarctic
