Ocean Connections: Orcas

Ocean Connections: Orcas

The connection between terrestrial mammals (humans) and open water marine mammals (Orcas) is investigated by comparing traits.

Introduction

Orcas (also known as killer whales) live mostly in deep and open ocean, but are also often found close to shore. These small whales are very large compared to land animals, with adult males having dorsal fins up to 2 metres tall.

Orcas:

• are mammals
• are the largest members of the dolphin family
• breathe air
• live in families called pods, led by females
• can live up to 70–80 years
• eat 50–150 kg of food a day, depending on size and energy needs
• are voluntary breathers and need to be at least half awake at all times
• communicate with each other through vocalizations.

Each Orca pod has its own collection of calls (dialect), which is almost like a language.

Orcas use calls to find each other in the water, but how do they find their food in dark murky waters? By using echolocation, a series of high-pitched clicks, Orcas can determine sizes, shapes and distances of objects, as well as communicate with each other. Orcas send out clicks through their fatty "melon" brow. The clicks bounce off objects and come right back onto the orcas' lower jaw.

Southern resident killer whales, found in the waters of southern British Columbia, are protected as a Species at Risk with the classification Endangered because there are less than one hundred whales in the population.

Issues affecting the Southern resident orcas include:

• declining fish populations for food
• toxic exposure through water pollution
• surface impacts such as commercial shipping, fishing, whale watching and pleasure boating
• underwater noise that causes communication interference and sound pollution

Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Describe several features of Orcas
• Describe how Orcas are specialized to live in the ocean

Entire Activity

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Other Resources

Full Lesson & other activities - Coastal Connections

Engaging Science Online Games - Secrets @ Sea