People orca whale has the same black-and-white reputation, as well as the color of his skin.Many call it the mammal family Delphinidae whale-killer (killer whales).Russian sea hunters have defined the king of the ocean in its upright, like a scythe, fin - "killer whale", although in the Russian-speaking scientific circles called him "Killer."The Latin name given to him by Linnaeus, sounds like Orcinus orca.These animals are very mysterious, but the scientists who are engaged in them, argue that whales unusually intelligent, social animals, but with his tetchy.Messages about the cannibalism appeared overly exaggerated.
killer whales live in all oceans and seas, except for the internal.They prefer cooler waters rain.People, this giant has been known for a long time.His first described by Pliny the Elder (1st century AD): "This is a huge mountain of flesh, provided with teeth terrifying thunderstorm other whales that attacks them and pierces like a military ram."Yes, despite the fact that the killer is inferior in size to the largest animal on the planet - the blue whale, she fearlessly attacks even him.
Dimensions killer whale is really impressive.Females reach lengths of seven meters and a weight of four tons, and males and is more than 10 meters and 8 tonnes.The modest size of the ladies do not prevent them in the saddle: in flocks of killer whales rigorous matriarchy reigns.Interestingly, males age never leave their mothers, while the daughter, reaching advanced age, can sometimes leave his native clan with some other members to start a new pack.The family is headed by an elderly "matriarhinya", surrounded by children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.Life expectancy for males - 50 years, and females live much longer - an average of 75 years.
killer whale has an extremely low birth rate.Females thirty years have little interest in the opposite sex, and in 40-50 years they have this interest is lost.For 10-15 years, during which takes an active reproductive period, the female gives birth to a large number of not very kityat because pregnancy lasts 16 months.Slightly less than half of all babies die before they reach the year.The flocks are always at peace.Never was seen fighting for a female or male, healthy individuals support the sick and elderly.Even a meeting of various schools never lead to clashes of prey or territory.In the North Pacific can be met entirely black (melanistic) and white (albino) birds, which flock not cast out as a "black sheep".
Killer whales have 40 to 48 teeth of up to 12 cm. Hunts killer whale, showing great intelligence and ability to think strategically.The members of the pack can be arranged in a row, column, go to the flanks.Taking advantage of the desire of herring bunch, carnivorous dolphins from different sides seal the fish bowl, and then start pounding on it's tail, stunning fish.When the prey pops up, begins the feast.Killer whales can "go" to the land, sliding on his belly on the beach or the ice to catch seals and seals travelers.If the whales see that on a small iceberg or pinnipeds are penguins, they are simply "shake", hitting his head on the ice floe.Every large family has their own preferences in the diet, some hunting for shoals of herring and others - for pinnipeds.
on human killer whale attacks rarely and only for self-defense.In aquariums, they have established themselves as animals are easily tamed and artistic abilities.Now in the aquarium of the world it contains about 60 species.In captivity, the first shorthead born in 1985 (Florida).Since 1946, began to protect killer whale, but in some countries, such as Japan, to continue to hunt the killer whale.
