Introduction
If you were to ask a variety of different people who they think the greatest predator in the ocean is, they are likely to answer with the infamous great white shark. However, they would be very wrong. Although media sources portray great white sharks as killers who have no competition, in reality, the greatest predators in the ocean are orcas, otherwise known as killer whales. This article will cover everything you need to know about this fascinating mammal.
What Makes the Orca the Top Apex Predator?
What makes the orca the top apex predator is the fact that it has no natural predators. Not one organism in the ocean actively hunts for these mammals. On the other hand, although some might consider sharks to be true apex predators, since they consume a variety of different organisms, they do have natural predators. Orcas. Therefore, the rightful spot of being the top apex predator goes to orcas.
What Does an Orca’s Diet Consist Of?
In the wild, orcas eat a variety of different foods, such as fish, walruses, seals, sea lions, penguins, squid, sea turtles, sharks and even other whales. However, orcas can be quite picky as to what they eat. For example, in some instances, it can be noted how orcas will kill sharks just for their liver. These orcas will deliberately cut out the liver from a shark, leaving the rest of the body to rot. This is because shark liver contains large amounts of a compound called squalene, which is beneficial in creating certain chemicals within orcas. Also, there are many reported instances of orcas eating the tongue of a whale, once again, without finishing the rest of the whale’s body. This is because a whale’s tongue is quite a large muscle, packed to the brim with protein.
What Are Some Hunting Behaviors of Orcas?
Orcas are social creatures, spending most of their time in pods (a group of animals that are maternally related and spend more than half of their life together). These pods consist of two to fifteen orcas, in which the orcas will help take care of the young or those who are sick or injured. A pod will also hunt together, displaying unique hunting behaviors. For example, it is common to see these pods herding their prey into one spot, striking the prey with their tails, which effectively stuns it, and then eating it. Furthermore, it is quite common to see orcas within pods working together to knock prey off of ice, creating waves which will throw the creature into the depths of the ocean. Also, although it might not be a hunting behavior, orcas are known to play with their food before eating it, launching dolphins and seals into the air with their powerful tails.
“Law of the Tongue”
Many centuries ago, the Thaua people, who live in New South Wales, Australia, created a treaty with orcas. The Thaua were known to hunt whales, killing them for their meat and blubber (the blubber could be turned into oil). However, the Thaua were heavily assisted by orcas in this hunting process. Orcas in this region of Australia would herd whales as close as possible to the shore, at which whalers would be awaiting. After the whalers successfully killed all of the whales that were brought to them, they would feed the lips and tongues from these whales to the orcas, offering it as a sort of repayment. This “Law of the Tongue” lasted for hundreds of years, with both orcas and the Thaua people being benefited in this symbiotic relationship.
Are Orcas a Type of Whale?
Contrary to popular belief, orcas aren’t actually a type of whale. Instead, they are part of the dolphin family, and not only that, but the largest species in this family. The misconception that orcas are whales comes from how large orcas are, and the name, “killer whale,” that has been given to them (because sailors long ago would frequently see orcas preying upon whales).
Statistics About Orcas
Orcas usually tend to weigh around 6 tons (12,000 pounds), and are 19-26 feet long. This is around the size of a school bus, so unless you see an orca in the wild, it’s quite hard to comprehend just how large they are. Orcas are also very fast, being able to move at a speed of 30 knots, which translates to 34 miles per hour. The killer whale can also live for quite a long time, with males usually living up to the age of 30, whilst females can live up to the age of 50. Lastly, orcas have strong jaws, having a bite force of around 19,000 pounds per square inch.
The Dialect of Orcas
Each orca pod has its own distinctive dialect, or particular form of language that is unique to them. With this dialect, pods have a form of culture, passing knowledge and learned behaviors from one generation to the next, a trait that can be seen in humans as well.
Do Orcas Kill Humans?
There are no documented cases of orcas killing humans in the wild. This is because at a very young age, orcas are taught by their mothers what they should and shouldn’t eat. Humans don’t fall under the list of things that orcas are taught to eat, so therefore, there have been no documented cases of death by orca in the wild. However, in captivity, there have been 4 reported fatalities (3 of which came from the same orca). The reason behind these attacks aren’t well-known, but some scientists suspect that the orcas went crazy after being trapped in an enclosed space for so many years, causing them to lash out.
Where Can You Spot Orcas?
Orcas can be spotted at every ocean on the planet. They have been spotted in places such as Florida, all the way to Seattle. However, orcas are most commonly found in places such as Alaska, Antarctica and Norway. Currently, it is estimated that around 50,000 orcas are in the wild, roaming all of the various oceans.
Conclusion
Orcas are the true apex predator of the ocean. They are one of the most unique animals on this planet due to their intelligence, hunting behaviors, and much more.