How Orca Whales use Echolocation
Orca whales (Orcinus orca), are the largest members of the oceanic dolphin family. They are also known as Killer whales and less commonly as Blackfish. Orcas are found living in all the seas of the world from the cold Antarctic and Arctic Oceans and the warmer waters in between.
Echolocation
Orca whales, like other cetaceans have highly developed echolocation abilities. They make clicks, whistles and pulsed calls to help them hunt, communicate and find their way in dark waters. Clicks are believed to be mainly used for identifying prey and objects in their environment, and for navigation. However, clicks are also often heard in the course of social interactions so they may also be a part of communication. Whistles and pulsed sounds are thought to be the main sounds they use for communication and social interaction. Different populations of Orcas in different areas have their own dialects. In the eastern North Pacific Ocean it is known that dialect can vary between groups.
Orcas Hunt Using Echolocation Orcas use echolocation to find and identify prey and to communicate with each other while hunting. They are known to sometimes hunt cooperatively in groups. This requires a high degree of communication with each other to coordinate their efforts successfully. Their diets vary from region to region and from season to season, depending on what type of prey is available. In some regions of the world they may be more specialized feeders. They may hunt mostly fish if it is abundant, where as in other areas, marine animals such as walrus, seal, or sea lions may be the most readily available prey. Sometimes a group may have developed special ways of hunting prey which is often passed on to other generations.
Family Groups of Orca Whales
Orcas are highly social animals living together in groups, known as pods. They use echolocation to communicate with each other, to identify each other and to keep the pod together. Many Orca pods consist of matrineal family groups and often form one of most stable social groups in the animal world. Female Orcas have been known to live to the age of 90 years. This means that in some cases there may possibly be as many as four generations living together in the same pod. The pod usually keeps together, but individuals will sometimes leave for a short time to mate, or to feed.
Problems Orcas Face with Pollution
Orcas are apex predators having no natural enemies. Their big problem is the growing pollution and contamination of the oceans caused by human activity. Chemicals and other pollutants affect the food chain as well as the water Orcas swim in. Pollutants can cause fertility and reproduction problems and lower their immune system making them vulnerable to disease. It is not just chemical pollutants that can be a problem for Orca whales. Noise pollution from boats can interfere with their echolocation making it harder to detect prey.
Conservation Status of Orca Whales
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature does not have enough information to assess their conservation status properly. One of the problems is that it is thought possible that there may be two, or possibly more different species. Nevertheless, it is believed that in some parts of the world populations of Orcas are under threat and possibly endangered. In some areas Orcas are having difficulty finding enough food because of over fishing, loss of traditional hunting grounds, pollution and other hazards. In 2005, the population of Orcas along the western coasts of British Columbia, Canada and Washington State, USA were placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List.
© 11/07/2013 zteve t evans
Orca whales, like other cetaceans have highly developed echolocation abilities. They make clicks, whistles and pulsed calls to help them hunt, communicate and find their way in dark waters. Clicks are believed to be mainly used for identifying prey and objects in their environment, and for navigation. However, clicks are also often heard in the course of social interactions so they may also be a part of communication. Whistles and pulsed sounds are thought to be the main sounds they use for communication and social interaction. Different populations of Orcas in different areas have their own dialects. In the eastern North Pacific Ocean it is known that dialect can vary between groups.
Orcas Hunt Using Echolocation Orcas use echolocation to find and identify prey and to communicate with each other while hunting. They are known to sometimes hunt cooperatively in groups. This requires a high degree of communication with each other to coordinate their efforts successfully. Their diets vary from region to region and from season to season, depending on what type of prey is available. In some regions of the world they may be more specialized feeders. They may hunt mostly fish if it is abundant, where as in other areas, marine animals such as walrus, seal, or sea lions may be the most readily available prey. Sometimes a group may have developed special ways of hunting prey which is often passed on to other generations.
Family Groups of Orca Whales
Orcas are highly social animals living together in groups, known as pods. They use echolocation to communicate with each other, to identify each other and to keep the pod together. Many Orca pods consist of matrineal family groups and often form one of most stable social groups in the animal world. Female Orcas have been known to live to the age of 90 years. This means that in some cases there may possibly be as many as four generations living together in the same pod. The pod usually keeps together, but individuals will sometimes leave for a short time to mate, or to feed.
Problems Orcas Face with Pollution
Orcas are apex predators having no natural enemies. Their big problem is the growing pollution and contamination of the oceans caused by human activity. Chemicals and other pollutants affect the food chain as well as the water Orcas swim in. Pollutants can cause fertility and reproduction problems and lower their immune system making them vulnerable to disease. It is not just chemical pollutants that can be a problem for Orca whales. Noise pollution from boats can interfere with their echolocation making it harder to detect prey.
Conservation Status of Orca Whales
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature does not have enough information to assess their conservation status properly. One of the problems is that it is thought possible that there may be two, or possibly more different species. Nevertheless, it is believed that in some parts of the world populations of Orcas are under threat and possibly endangered. In some areas Orcas are having difficulty finding enough food because of over fishing, loss of traditional hunting grounds, pollution and other hazards. In 2005, the population of Orcas along the western coasts of British Columbia, Canada and Washington State, USA were placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List.
© 11/07/2013 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
This article was first published on Full of Knowledge Published by ztevetevans on 11/07/2013. © 11/07/2013 zteve t evans
Orca Whales – Wolves of the Sea
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service
Image File:Type C Orcas 2.jpg - Public Domain – Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
This article was first published on Full of Knowledge Published by ztevetevans on 11/07/2013. © 11/07/2013 zteve t evans
Orca Whales – Wolves of the Sea
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service
Image File:Type C Orcas 2.jpg - Public Domain – Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository