Killer whales are a unique species.
In addition to being one of the most famous hunters and fantastic acrobatic performers, they are also extremely family oriented.
In some cases, as many as four generations of family members may be seen traveling together in a single pod.
Like all marine mammals, these dolphins spend their time doing a variety of activities, including:
Foraging/Hunting
This is essential to any mammal’s life, especially killer whales.
Killer whales have been observed hunting together in well-organized groups or pods using sophisticated team-oriented hunting methods to capture their prey.
Depending on the species, they can be seen hunting in pods containing 4 to 40 more killer whales.
These dolphins use various strategies to corner, trap and trick their prey and tend to be very knowledgeable about their prey’s weakness and will use it to their advantage.
For example, killer whales are well aware that flipping a shark upside down will temporarily paralyze it and will act accordingly to implement this strategy into their hunting methods.
They also know how to corner large marine mammals to prevent them from escaping while also using the best methods they know to prevent themselves from being harmed while on their hunt.
In addition to their already impressive hunting methods, these dolphins are also equipped with echolocation, which is used to help navigate the ocean and find prey that isn’t visible by sight.
Killer whales have a very diverse diet and will hunt everything from fish and squid to penguins, sea lions, seals, polar bears, and even whales.
Migration
Depending on the species, killer whales are known to migrate according to their food supply.
In some cases, they will travel up and down the coastline or throughout the ocean to maintain their steady supply of fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals.
Unlike other species, the migration of killer whales is usually more dependent on food than where they mate.
Socializing
Killer whales are brilliant and well-organized and follow highly complex social structures within their pods, often consisting of large groups of family members.
It is considered one of any animal species’ most stable social structures.
As stated earlier, killer whales are very family oriented, and some pods will continue to maintain deep bonds with their mother and other family members even after adulthood.
Killer whales communicate using a variety of high pitch clicks and whistles which they use to distinguish who is talking and what they are saying.
They are also known to communicate using a variety of body language signals, from light bumps to spectacular acrobatic feats.
Researchers have been so impressed by the social structure of killer whales that they have compared it to the cultures of humans and elephants.
Some researchers are even trying to develop ways for humans to decipher their language and possibly one day communicate with them.
Sleeping/Resting
According to researchers, dolphins sleep very differently than humans.
In this resting state, it has been shown that half of the dolphin’s brain does indeed shut down.
However, the other half of the brain remains active.
This is because dolphins live in water, and because they are mammals, they must breathe air.
Hence, their brain has always to remain partially active to prevent them from falling completely asleep and possibly drowning.
While it is likely that these dolphins can sleep/rest anywhere, it is more likely that they’ll rest either at or near the surface of the water so that they can quickly come up for air when it is necessary.
Exploring
Exploration is another everyday activity in some dolphin species, especially in unfamiliar environments.
Dolphins like to familiarize themselves with their living habitat and local hunting, playing, or traveling environment.
Mating
Female killer whales generally produce a single offspring once every 3 – 5 years while fertile, usually until around 40.
While female and male killer whales mature around 15, the males usually wait until they are around 21 to start reproducing.
The average gestation period (the period from conception to birth) can last anywhere from 15 – 18 months.
After birth, the female nurses her young by producing milk from her mammary glands.
Killer whales can live for 30 – 50 years; in some instances, they may even live up to 60.