ADAPTATIONS
The killer whale has developed many adaptations to live in the depths of the ocean as well as hunt prey. They will be discussed below, separated into 3 different subcategories.
LIFESTYLE
The killer whale has adapted to live underwater freely, being able to dive at least 100 metres deep for 3-4 minutes. It also has developed a large amount of blubber (fat of sea mammals) which assists it in maintaining its body heat and survive in cold environments such as the antarctic. During migration, food is unnecessary as the orca can live off body fat and calories stored in its blubber for up to four months.
The orca essentially relies on its 4 chamber heart (can weigh the mass of a small car) and large arteries. Blood is rapidly and quickly pumped throughout it's body because of this, and is a huge factor to the orca's survival. It also has modified lungs to assist in breathing underwater for large amounts of time, being able to fill them up in a mere 2 seconds.
In addition to this, whales also have a blow hole on the top of their head which they breathe through. It can easily be closed by contracting the musclular flap covering it while diving under water. This, obviously, is where the whale inhales air.
HUNTING
The killer whale also has adapted to hunt efficiently, occasionally travelling in pods, they can travel up to speeds of 50km/h. Rather than baleen whales, the killer whale is a toothed whale
which means it can rip apart and chew their pray with ease. Echolocation is an important method that whales use not only to navigate through the ocean smoothly, but also to hunt. Echolocation can determine how far away an object is, the size of it, its entities (hollow or solid) and its speed. This is particularly helpful when whales attempt to track seals, fish, and other fast moving creatures.
IMPROVEMENTS
There are many adaptations that simply make the whales life easier, such as their hearing. Whales in general have excellent hearing to detect other whales. This tremendously important in mating season, while locating other whales from their pod or while hunting. With the use of their pectoral flippers, dorsal fins and blubber exterior which creates a smoother experience, whales have also adapted to rapidly glide through the water, which is once again extremely useful while hunting.
LIFESTYLE
The killer whale has adapted to live underwater freely, being able to dive at least 100 metres deep for 3-4 minutes. It also has developed a large amount of blubber (fat of sea mammals) which assists it in maintaining its body heat and survive in cold environments such as the antarctic. During migration, food is unnecessary as the orca can live off body fat and calories stored in its blubber for up to four months.
The orca essentially relies on its 4 chamber heart (can weigh the mass of a small car) and large arteries. Blood is rapidly and quickly pumped throughout it's body because of this, and is a huge factor to the orca's survival. It also has modified lungs to assist in breathing underwater for large amounts of time, being able to fill them up in a mere 2 seconds.
In addition to this, whales also have a blow hole on the top of their head which they breathe through. It can easily be closed by contracting the musclular flap covering it while diving under water. This, obviously, is where the whale inhales air.
HUNTING
The killer whale also has adapted to hunt efficiently, occasionally travelling in pods, they can travel up to speeds of 50km/h. Rather than baleen whales, the killer whale is a toothed whale
which means it can rip apart and chew their pray with ease. Echolocation is an important method that whales use not only to navigate through the ocean smoothly, but also to hunt. Echolocation can determine how far away an object is, the size of it, its entities (hollow or solid) and its speed. This is particularly helpful when whales attempt to track seals, fish, and other fast moving creatures.
IMPROVEMENTS
There are many adaptations that simply make the whales life easier, such as their hearing. Whales in general have excellent hearing to detect other whales. This tremendously important in mating season, while locating other whales from their pod or while hunting. With the use of their pectoral flippers, dorsal fins and blubber exterior which creates a smoother experience, whales have also adapted to rapidly glide through the water, which is once again extremely useful while hunting.