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Killer whales behavior research essay
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Killer whales behavior research essay
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The killer whales are mammals. They have two common names the killer whale and the ocra. Killer whales inhabit most of the world’s oceans, going from warm waters to freezing cold waters (Monterey Aquarium). Not all of the killer whales are known because their are so many. Orca’s are very social and travel in pods. The whales usually stay with the same pods of whales as they travel. Ocras usually migrate with their food, and they also have seasonal migrations. (Sea World). The food they eat is fish, sea lions, squids, penguins,sea turtles, sea birds, seals, baleen whales, other toothed whales {dolphins}, walruses, sea otters, sharks, the can also eat humans, polar bears, reptiles, mooses, and other killer whales [that are dead](Sea World)(National Geographic). They are carnivores (National Geographic). Killer whales do not chew their food they swallow their whole or rip off chunks. Ocras hunt in pods and to confuse their prey they herd them to the top of surface then attack. They can also jump on land to get their food. Killer whales have cone like-shaped teeth that are thre...
Orca whales are the largest members of the dolphin family. Orcas are very curious creatures, they like to sky hop, which is when they poke their heads out of the water and look around, and they can also dive to as much as a hundred feet. These social animals live in pods and stay with them for their whole lives. They are so family oriented that they can may sleep together in a tight circle and have synchronized breathing. Orcas can grow up to thirty-two feet and can weigh nine tons. They typically eat five percent of their body weight and are amazing hunters. The lifespan of an orca in their natural habitat is about fifty years. This lifestyle for them is wonderful because they can swim as far as they want to and are free. Orcas should not be held captive because the capture process is dangerous, it is not good for their health, and their trainers are at risk. Free Willy. Dir Simon Wincer. 1993.Video. Warner Bros Home Video
For 50 years SeaWorld has entertained park guests with numerous stunts involving the majestic sea creature, the orca, also referred to as the killer whale, and their human trainers. What the on-lookers don’t see at these shows is what goes on behind the scenes: how the whales got there in the first place, and the conditions in which they are housed.
“… building a tank the size of Rhode Island wouldn’t be large enough for a six-ton male killer whale such as Tilikum, an animal capable of swimming 100 miles a day,” states an anonymous whale expert. Whales have been in captivity since 1861 when P.T. Barnum displayed the first live whale that was captured in Canada. However, Barnum had no idea how to care for the mammal and it died after only a week in captivity. (Animal Legal and Historical Center, 2014) Being up close with killer whales could give us some clues about how they interact with each other, including physical behavior, their dialect, and how their pods work together as a family unit. However, what we are finding is that whales who belong in the wild are suffering in captivity. Killer whales have no record of ever harming a human being in the wild. In captivity, there have been many incidents of killer whales harming or even killing their trainers. What would cause them to do this in captivity, but not in the wild? They have been known to resort to aggression toward themselves and each other, in what scientist believe to be a stress induced behavior. (Animal Legal and Historical Center, 2014) Evidence against having these wild animals in captivity is increasing and we need reevaluate the value of capturing and holding killer whales for our educational purposes, enjoyment, and profit.
...own to circle its dead for hours until dying itself. It puts its own life on the line when the others in its group is in trouble. The diverse diet also makes it an interesting marine mammal to know about because different types of marine life have a food staple consisting of two or three species. The orcas distinctive white spot above the eye make for good diversion and the conical teeth make for excellent hunting. And although they range in size depending on sex, the fascination with this fair sized marine mammal is immeasurable in size.
The Killer Whale is a part of the toothed whale (odontoceti) suborder. The toothed whale suborder is consisted exclusively of porpoises, whales and dolphins that are born with teeth, instead of baleen plates. The Killer Whale is the largest animal in the dolphin family and is the only known to attack sharks, whales and other marine mammals.
Orcas, or killer whales are majestic giants of the sea. They are actually the largest type of dolphin. They have long black bodies with distinct white patches near their eyes. A killer whale can be up to 32 feet or more in length, and weigh up to 12,000 pounds. Females are a bit smaller, but live longer (Gorman). The name “killer whale” apparently came not because it is a vicious whale, but because it preys on whales. They do not have any natural predators, and they are considered the “top dog” of the ocean. Not even the great white shark stands a chance against these superb killers. “Unlike sharks, killer whales are cautious hunters, sometimes spending hours harassing a 1,000-pound sea lion so it can easily be drowned” (Francis). Orcas use many hunting tactics that are unique to their species, which is what makes them invincible.
The orca whale is a highly social animal. Orcas form groups that are called pods which are anywhere from two to fifteen members. The young of the group are very protected by the mothers and never leave the pod unless to find a mate. Unfortunately companies like Seaworld are paying people called “Hunters” to trap the young orcas at the age of two.
Family therapy is often needed when families go through transitions such as separations between parents and divorce. According to research, “the power of family therapy derives from bringing parents and children together to transform their interactions” (Nichols, & Davis, p.18), as problems need to be addressed at their source. The children who are the most vulnerable, when parents decide to separate, exhibit symptoms which are exaggerations of their parent’s problems (Nichols, & Davis, p.18). Frank and Walt Berkman are the examples of how children cope and adapt to the stressors of family separations such as marital separations and
Though any Ocra can mate with another, behavioral adaptation create a form of speciation. Within the pod all Orcas speak a distinct dialect. Like humans, Orcas don’t possess just one language. An Orca from one pod would not be able to understand and communicate with an Orca from another, making mating difficult between the two of them. Leigh Dayton, the curator of marine mammals at Vancouver’s Public Aquarium, discovered this phenomenon by “listening to the two main communities of killer whales that were then divided into pods, each with its own dialect” (Orca Social Structure and (Whale) Dialects, 1). Captive Killer whales live in tanks with a “fake family” that they can’t communicate with due to different imprinting and behavioral adaptations.
“Since orcas (Orcinus orca) were first placed into captivity for entertainment purposes serious health issues related to their captivity have become apparent.” Sea World stated (on their website) that, “Wild killer whales generally swim long distances because they are looking for food. When food is plentiful they do not swim far and at Sea World, our whales do not have to search
Orcas, commonly known as killer whales, are actually the largest member of the dolphin family. They were given the name “killer whale” by sailors who often observed them attacking and killing seals, sea lions, walruses, penguins, dolphins, polar bears and even other whales (Orcas).
A hero is someone who will attempt everything in their power to help others and risk everything they have to help others. In the movie, The Whale Rider, you can clearly see all the elements of The Hero’s Journey. A young girl named Paula Apirana, is living in a small village with her grandparents. Paika’s dad, who is living in Spain, returns to see Paula and proposes that she should come live with him. She declines the offer and decided to stay with her grandparents. Paula then secretly tries to learn the important ritual, that only males are allowed to learn. Her grandpa, Paka, gets extremely angry at her until he realizes that she is the “chosen one” to perform the ritual. Paika goes through many difficult challenges, however she manages
Whales generally live 20-40 years and usually have a 9-15 month gestation that leads to usually 1 offspring("Whales"). Since whales are mammals whom live underwater, they have to plan when they breach to the surface to breathe through their blowholes. It is very difficult for whales to sleep because " they can not afford to fall into an unconscious state for too long, since they need to be conscious to break the surface in order to breathe"("Whales"). Whales use echolocation to detect their surroundings and communicate with other whales. When whales communicate they use lyrical sounds. It is also believes that whales slap their tails to warn other whales about danger("Whales"). Back in the the days before oil drilling, people killed whales and used the blubber of a whale for oil. Now they have to face the dangers of poaching, climate change, and underwater sonar testing("Whales"). Many people whale watch when humpback whales visit each year from November to
What is The Whale Rider about? Is it like every other story? This book is called The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera. The Whale Rider isn’t like every other story I’ve read before. This story has a strong female leader who never gave up in what she thought her destiny was. When I finished the story I believe that the theme of The Whale Rider was to overcome the odds to achieve the greatness. Koro Apirana always thought that Kahu was bad luck to the tribe. Kahu never gave up in her grandfather in making him happy. Kahu also never gave up in impressing and showing everyone that she can be the next chief in in line.
... meat, blubber, bones and oil. Also, orcas hunt humpbacks in packs, especially when there is a newborn (Office of Protected Resources).