KidZone Animals
Whales: Orcas
Photographer, Christopher Michel; saturated and used with permission under CC BY 2.0
Photographer, Christopher Michel; saturated and used with permission under CC BY 2.0
The orca is the largest member of the dolphin family. Males are approximately 7 meters (23 feet) long and weigh up to 20,000 pounds (9,000 kilograms). Females are usually about 6.5 meters (21 feet) long and weigh up to 12,000 pounds (5,400 kilograms).
As is famously known, orcas are black with white spots, usually around their eyes and belly. This makes them look very cute, especially when they hop out of the water in groups.
Orcas are extremely social animals. The groups they travel and hunt in are called pods. These pods are usually made up of smaller numbers (5-10) but can have a population of up to 30! Interestingly, these pods are matriarchal: the female orcas are the leaders.
Another interesting fact about these pods is that each pod has a slightly different language – we can think of it like the way people use slang or have different dialects and accents.
Photographer, Christopher Michel; saturated and used with permission under CC BY 2.0
Unfortunately, many of these beautiful creatures (orcas and dolphins included) are kept in captivity. Though they may appear happy and perform well in these places, it is clear that they belong in the wild ocean. Considering how essential travelling in pods is to their being, it doesn’t make sense that they would enjoy being trapped in a small pool with little communication with others.
Key Points:
- Family: Orcas are part of the oceanic dolphin family.
- Size: Males are about 7 meters (23 feet) long and weigh up to 20,000 pounds (9,000 kilograms). Females are about 6.5 meters (21 feet) long and weigh up to 12,000 pounds (5,400 kilograms).
- Physical Characteristics: Black with white spots around their eyes and belly.
- Social Structure: Orcas are extremely social, living in matriarchal pods of 5-30 individuals.
- Communication: Each pod has a unique language, similar to human dialects.
- Captivity: Orcas belong in the wild, where they can thrive in their natural social structures.
Orca facts coloring pages and posters
