Killer whales, or Orcas (Orcinus orca) are cetaceans.They are the largest dolphins in the world, called 'whales' because of their size. Why is an orca called a Killer Whale? A killer whale prefers cold, coastal waters, yet live in every ocean in the world. Conservation The orca has been killed in whaling operations worldwide, but there is no fishery directed specifically at this species. No humans have ever been intentionally attacked by a killer whale that was living in the wild. Interesting Killer Whale Facts: The killer whale is recognizable by its black and white pattern of color. Sei whale . Top Facts about Killer Whales. Hyperoodon ampullatus. navajocodetalkersadmin on November 27, 2014 - 8:00 pm in Fun Facts for Kids. Orcas are also known as Killer Whales. Why are orcas sometimes called killer whales? This stability translates into a number of unique facts about this animal. NatureMapping Animal Facts for Kids Orca. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. With orcas camouflaged so well, those prey fish, penguins, or seals are likely to miss the danger heading their way, as the killer whale once again proves it is the oceans' superbly designed hunter. Whales are mammals. The killer whale, also known as an orca (Orcinus orca), is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Considered the most widespread cetacean, the killer whale is truly cosmopolitan and not limited by such habitat features as water temperature or depth. 9 Killer Whale Facts For Kids. It is a marine mammal or sea mammal. They earned the name “killer” because they eat other whales . They have white chests, black backs, and white circles above and behind their eyes. Before a moratorium was placed in 1996, their population declined by around 90%. Kid friendly Internet games can be a great way for your son or daughter to have some fun on a rainy day, and with games based on killer whales, your budding marine biologist or whale lover can have fun and perhaps learn something too.. Related Articles. They can tell the age of a whale by looking at a cross-section of a killer whale’s tooth. . Because orcas are so intelligent, they have the wonderful ability to spark human interest. We don’t really know where killer whales got their name from. Off Península Valdés, adults sometimes pull seals off the shoreline and then release them again near juvenile whales, allowing the younger whales to practice the difficult capture technique on the now-weakened prey. Whales and dolphins are cetaceans. Whale Shark Fun Facts for Kids # 1. killer whale predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas; The killer whale (Orcinus orca), commonly referred to as the orca, and less commonly as the blackfish, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family. > Orca (Killer Whale) See all species. Check out for the most interesting and amazing whale facts for kids. The Cetacean family consists of whales, dolphins and porpoises. The killer whale (Orcinus orca) is also known as orca or orca whale, and rarely referred to as blackfish. The whale is a toothed whale and it belongs to the oceanic dolphin family. By counting … Killer whales imitate others, and seem to deliberately teach skills to their young. One theory is that they were called ‘killers of whales’ by whalers in the past, and the name became corrupted into ‘killer whales’ over time. Female Whale Sharks incubate their eggs inside them rather than outside. Both in human care and in the wild, people flock to catch a glimpse of the amazing killer whale. This is most strikingly seen when killer whales deliberately beach themselves to catch seals. The name originates from the nickname “whale killer” given to them by fishermen after observing killer whales hunting larger species of whales. On the other hand, the whale's white underside blends with the light streaming down into the sea from the surface, making it hard to spot from below. The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was almost hunted to extinction. Killer whales, like other marine mammals, produce a periodic growth layer on the teeth. Sowerby’s beaked whale . Eubalaena glacialis. Some are known for their love of traveling and have been reported traveling long distances as a pod or group of whales. All you need to know about this fearsome ocean mammal (a dolphin, not a whale). North Atlantic Right whale . Learn more about these fascinating marine mammals below: Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family. A baby killer whale, called a calf, comes out of its mother weighing as much as 300 pounds and measuring about 8 feet long! All inhabit deep waters and are capable of long deep dives; one northern bottlenose (Hyperoodon ampullatus) was observed diving to almost 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). Northern bottlenose whale . Other Interesting False Killer Whale Facts. False killer whales have been recorded at depths of up to 900 m (3,000 ft.). Killer Whale Facts: There are approximately 80+ different species of whales within the Cetacean family. 2) While the toothed whale (Odontoceti) only has one blowhole the baleen whale (Mysticeti) has two. This means that whale calves grow inside their mothers until they are born. Physeter macrocephalus. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and other species of dolphin. This lesson will teach you about these mammals, what they like to eat and what kind of animal they really are. The Orca or killer whale is among the “toothed whales.” It will eat other marine mammals like sea lions, seals, squids and more. 1. killer whale factsKiller whales, also known as Orcas (Orcinus orca) are fascinating creatures that attract a great deal of attention from marine biologists, as well as the general public. The killer whale is the fastest sea creature, able to travel at speeds of 30 miles per hour. Finding Killer Whale Games for Kids. With their distinctive black and white patterning and huge dorsal fins, a pod of orcas powering through the waves is one of the most impressive sights in the natural world. Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. The organized pods that the killer whales tend to form out in the waters of the ocean are some of the most stable animal family structures that we have ever observed. Killer whales don’t kill people and are in fact the largest member of the dolphin family. Here are some of the imperative killer whale facts for kids including killer whales diet, habitat, vocalisations, behavior, reproduction, widespread range and distribution. Orcas do not attack people, but they are at the top of the food chain. The ‘crassidens’ part of the false killer whale’s scientific name means ‘thick-tooth’. Killer whales, also called orcas, are mighty hunters of the ocean . Orcas have been spotted at both poles and the equator. Scientists have determined that killer whales can live a maximum of 35 years. Orca (Orcinus orca) commonly known as Killer Whale Species Code: OROR What they look like: The orca (killer whale) is a toothed whale and is the largest member of the Dolphin family. Killer whale facts for kids. Unlock Content Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) can live to be over 200 years old. Blue whale facts for kids: learn about these mega mammals, with facts about blue whale size, characteristics, diet, range, behaviour and migration patterns Orcas have mostly black skin with white patches.They are found in all the world's oceans, from the cold of the Arctic to the tropical seas, absent only from the Baltic and Black seas, and some areas of the Arctic Ocean. Balaenoptera borealis. Not only are they huge with big white tummies and awesome eye patches, each one is also truly unique. They're immediately recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white coloring. [ Read: Clownfish Facts For Kids] Facts And Information About Killer Whales Or Orcas: 1. Whale Sharks tend to live for around 60 to 80 years but have been known be more than 100 years old. Mar 7, 2020 - Explore Beth Whitlow's board "whale facts for kids", followed by 213 people on Pinterest. Besides, they are nursed and taken care by their mothers until they reach certain age. Orcas, commonly known as killer whales, are large marine mammals that belong to the suborder odontoceti, or toothed whale.They are one of the most recognized animals in the world because of their large size and distinct black and white pattern. Mesoplodon bidens. Pictures, video & list of facts. 10 Cool whale facts for kids. Size And Structure Of Orca Or Killer Whales: Orcas or killer whales are identifiable by their distinctive white patches near and on the underside of the eyes. See more ideas about Facts for kids, Whale facts, Whale facts for kids. Interesting Facts About the Killer Whale. Whales breathe air as we do. Orcas, sometimes called 'killer whales', are found living in every ocean on Earth. Killer whales are some of the coolest animals that are out in the wild today. There are about 90 species of cetaceans broken up into two groups. 3) Whales sleep very differently than most mammals. Drunk driving facts 2010 Killer Whale Facts For Kids. Sperm whale . They have long and rounded bodies with large, dorsal fins in the middle of the backs. One pod traveled from Alaska to central California in one season. Killer whale information & facts for kids. 15 Easy Ways for Kids to Make Money Fast; Benefits of Children Playing Bottlenose whale, any of five species of beaked whales distinguished by a bulbous forehead that drops sharply to the base of the beak. 1) Did you know that whales like all mammals are warm-blooded, produce milk to feed their young, have body hair (only on some species) and require air to survive? Whale Facts Save The Whales Underwater Creatures Wale Beautiful Fish Mundo Animal Killer Whales Whale Watching Ocean Life. Top Whale Facts for Kids. The Latin name for orca or killer whale is Orcinus orca. 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