Killer whales are marine mammals that belong to the cetacean group. Although they are commonly known as whales, they are included in the family Delphinidae, in which dolphins are also found. So killer whales are not really whales, but large dolphins, although they are sometimes thought of as toothed whales.
These cetaceans have a terrible reputation, in fact, they are qualified as killers, but are they really? Do they kill for pleasure or just to feed? And what do they feed on? Continue reading this article on our site to find out what killer whales eat and if their fame is so true.
Type of orca feeding
Killer whales are the largest members of the dolphin family, being able to measure up to 10 meters in length and weigh up to 7 tons. As is common in this type of mammal, they have a complex social structure made up of groups of up to 50 individuals, where there are both males and females of different ages. On the other hand, they also have a complex communication system, which they use quite efficiently to transmit different types of messages.
Killer whales are excellent hunters, which feed on carnivores, and are considered exceptionally successful predators. To feed, especially on large marine animals, hunt in groups, rely on their streamlined bodies to move at high speeds, and also use their communication system and strength.
When they catch prey smaller than themselves they can swallow it whole, but when it comes to larger animals they usually kill them first and then tear them into pieces to eat them. An adult killer whale can eat about 45 kg of meat a day, although they have been known to devour even larger quantities.
What do baby killer whales eat?
As we have mentioned, killer whales are mammals, therefore, the calves feed on their mother's milk during their first yearDuring this time, in addition, the mother teaches them to hunt smaller prey, so that the diet alternates between breast milk and animals that hunt.
From the year, killer whales begin their weaning, so they stop consuming their mother's milk and join the herd during hunts to feed. Although killer whales already become independent from their mothers, it is common for them to remain within their own pod when they are adults. However, males of reproductive age visit other groups to mate with females that do not belong to their family group.
What do adult killer whales eat?
Killer whales are carnivorous animals that eat a very varied diet. Depending on the habitat where they are found, they can take advantage of the presence of one or another prey depending on their availability. Among the animals that killer whales eat we find:
- Seals
- Sea lions
- Whales
- Smaller Dolphins
- Otters
- Fishes
- Stripes
- Crustaceans
- Mollusks
- Seabirds
- Marine reptiles
Let's remember that they are very voracious animals and excellent hunters that also attack in groups, so they are infallible and can wipe out entire families.
Do killer whales eat sharks?
Killer Whales Do eat sharks, since they hardly discard any marine animals. In this way, their various characteristics allow them to hunt and consume from small sharks to large sharks. Depending on the size of these cartilaginous fish, a single killer whale can kill it or several of the pod organize and hunt it in groups. Generally, they try to bring the shark to the surface as they pummel it until it loses its life.
Among the types of sharks that killer whales eat we can mention:
- Blue shark (Prionace glauca)
- Hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran)
- Mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)
- Baking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
- Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
- Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
- Sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo)
Certain species of sharks, such as the great white shark, are apex predators in the habitats where they develop, that is, they have no natural predators. However, this changes in the presence of killer whales, which compete very successfully even with the fearsome white shark, which they not only feed on, but also manage to displace.
Do killer whales eat humans?
Killer Whales Do not chase humans to eat them, as we are not really prey like others that they do feed on. However, in recent years certain non-fatal attacks have been reported by these cetaceans on boats where there are obviously people, and others where people have found themselves on ice sheets. Until now, it is estimated that these incidents occur because killer whales confuse people with possible prey or because of simple games they play, since we must remember that it is a species with social behavior.
However, fatal attacks on humans have occurred in certain parts of the world, but all have been caused with orcas in captivity that they end up lashing out at the keepers. These cases are totally understandable because no animal that is in captivity and subjected to a life of training that is not natural can be calm, on the contrary, it lives in permanent stress, which undoubtedly influences its behavior, which can end up being aggressive.
In this sense, from our site we suggest not going to shows where animals such as killer whales are presented, since they must live in the oceans and only be in temporary captivity for fully justified reasons such as attending to the animal he alth.
If after discovering what killer whales eat, you are in doubt as to whether they kill for pleasure, in this other article we will explain whether killer whales are killers or not.
