Seaworld apex predator
Are you one of those who believes that sharks are the bad boys of the ocean? Wait till you meet the orca! Weighing six tons, killer whales are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of the food chain. No other animal (except humans) hunts killer whales. Orcas feed on squid, octopus, sea turtles, rays, fish and… SHARKS! They also eat marine mammals, such as seals, dolphins, and sea lions. To hunt, it uses 45 sharp teeth, perfect for crushing and tearing apart any prey.
Killer whales inhabit all the world’s oceans, from the Arctic and Antarctic to tropical seas, but they prefer temperate and cold waters and coastal areas.
Fun facts
- Killer whales are mammals, that is, the calves are born from the mother and feed on her milk for a year and a half. An orca will live with its family for ten years or more. Group life is essential to their survival.
- Orcas come to the surface of the water to breathe.
- Killer whales live and hunt in family groups of 10 to 30 individuals.
- Killer whales communicate with each other through sounds or vocalizations. Likewise, thanks to these sounds they can orient themselves and feed themselves.
- Some orcas, unfortunately, have been removed from their natural environment and are trained for shows in water parks where they live in captivity.