Killer whales rule the ocean with intelligence and power. While people fear their name, these animals possess complex cultures and emotions that rival human societies. For instance, grandmothers lead the pods because they know the best hunting grounds. Furthermore, different groups speak entirely different languages. Prepare to dive deep with the wolves of the sea.
Killer whales
Killer whales belong to the dolphin family. They are actually the largest species of dolphin on Earth. Therefore, they share more DNA with Flipper than with Blue Whales.
They hunt Great White sharks for their livers. Specifically, they work together to flip the sharks upside down. This induces “tonic immobility,” so they can eat the nutrient-rich organ easily.
Grandmothers lead the family pods for decades. These older females experience menopause, which allows them to focus on leadership. Consequently, they guide the group to food during tough times.
Different pods speak different languages. Each family group develops its own unique set of clicks and whistles. Thus, a Killer whale from the Pacific cannot understand one from the Atlantic.
They sleep with one eye open. Because they must breathe consciously, they shut down only half their brain at a time. This adaptation keeps them alert for predators while they rest.
Killer whales eat moose swimming between islands. In North America, they catch the massive deer as they cross channels. Therefore, they rank as one of the few marine predators that eat land mammals.
Their brains weigh nearly 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms). This makes them the second heaviest brains among all ocean mammals. As a result, they solve complex puzzles and pass knowledge to their young.
Humans once hunted alongside a Killer whale named Old Tom. In Australia, Old Tom herded baleen whales toward human whalers. In exchange, the whalers gave him the tongue and lips.
They swim up to 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour). Their powerful tails generate immense thrust in the water. Consequently, they can catch fast prey like tuna and even speedboats.
The name “Killer whale” is a mistranslation. Spanish sailors originally called them “Whale Killers” because they hunted large whales. However, English speakers flipped the words, which made them sound much scarier.
Residents and transients never mix socially. Resident pods eat fish and stay in one place. Conversely, transient pods eat mammals and travel constantly, so the two groups avoid each other completely.
Killer whales have 4 inches (10 centimeters) of blubber. This thick layer of fat insulates them from freezing water. It also acts as an energy reserve when food becomes scarce.
They cannot smell anything. Unlike sharks, they lack an olfactory bulb in their brain. Therefore, they rely entirely on their excellent hearing and sight to find their next meal.
Captivity causes their dorsal fins to collapse. In the wild, water pressure keeps the fin upright. However, gravity pulls it down when they spend too much time at the surface in tanks.
They recognize themselves in mirrors. Researchers marked them with dye, and they checked the reflection to see it. This proves they possess a high level of self-awareness similar to humans.
