In this post, I will be showing you 10 reasons why the orca rocks.

Did you know orcas aren’t whales?

Even though they are also called killer whales, orcas aren’t whales. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why aren’t orcas whales?

The reason is that they belong to the dolphin family Delphinidae, being the largest of the dolphin family by the way. They are only called killer whales because of their enormous size.

2. Orcas have the second largest brains on the planet!

Did you know orcas have the second largest brains on the planet?

Having a very big brain, orcas have the second largest brains on the planet. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why do orcas have the second largest brains on the planet?

The reason is that their brain grows to that size and this helps the orca to think of clever ways to catch prey.

3. Orcas are apex predators!

Did you know orcas are apex predators?

They might be smaller than sperm whales but orcas are apex (animals that are not eaten) predators. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why are orcas apex predators?

The reason why orcas are apex animals is because they live and hunt in groups, also called a pod. All the pod members are strong, which is why they can overcome bigger animals. They also have a bite force of 19,000 PSI.

4. Orcas are the second most widespread animal on Earth.

Did you know orcas are the second most widespread animal on Earth?

Even though many wild cats are solitary(live and hunt alone), lions are the most social creatures in the world. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why are orcas the second most widespread animal on Earth?

The reason why is because they are water mammals so they can live in every ocean and come out of the water for air.

5. Orcas use the color of their bodies for camoflauge.

Did you know that orcas use the color of their bodies for camoflauge?

Just like penguins, orcas use the color of their bodies for camoflauge. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why do orcas use the color of their bodies for camoflauge?

This is because when looking at them from above, their black backs helps them blend with the dark bottom and when looking from below their white unders helps them blend with the sunlight above.

6. Orcas have a behaviour called ‘spyhopping’.

Did you know that orcas have a behaviour called ‘spyhopping’?

Even though they are fast, orcas have a behaviour called ‘spyhopping’. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why do orcas have a behaviour called ‘spyhopping’?

The reason why is because this is a skill that helps them locate their prey and then snatch it.

7. Orcas eat moose!

Did you know that orcas eat moose?

Even though many animals stay away from moose, which are the largest deer, orcas eat moose occasionally. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why do orcas eat moose?

The reason why is that as opportunistic predators, they will eat moose. So if a moose crosses paths with an orca, it has to retreat but that’s almost impossible because the moose only has a 1% chance of escaping and 99% chance of being total meat.

8. Orcas are big eaters.

Did you know that orcas are big eaters?

Even though many animals eat big animals, orcas are big eaters. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why are orcas big eaters?

The reason why is because they can eat animals up to 290 kilograms and that is almost a quarter of its weight. Lions also eat all animals in its habitat.

9. Orcas are the second largest predators on the planet.

Did you know that orcas are the second largest predators on the planet?

Even though most predators are big, orcas are the second largest predators on the planet. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why are orcas are the second largest predators on the planet?

The main reason why is because of the size it grows into. They can be up to 32 feet long!

10. Orcas launch themselves to land to snatch prey.

Did you know that orcas launch themselves to land to snatch prey?

Instead of just looking for prey at sea, orcas launch themselves to land to snatch prey. Isn’t that amazing?

Now, why do orcas launch themselves to land to snatch prey?

The reasons why is that orcas know that their favourite prey is always by the shore so they launch themselves to catch prey before it gets out of reach.

Check out my other posts.

https://wildcreaturesrock.com/10-reasons-why-the-cheetah-rocks/

 

https://wildcreaturesrock.com/10-reasons-why-the-jaguar-rocks/