You might think of orcas as dangerous sea creatures due to their nickname “killer whales.” However, the truth is that orcas almost never intentionally attack humans in the wild and have been surprisingly gentle in their interaction with humans. Continue reading to find out more fun facts about these fascinating sea creatures.
Orcas and Dolphins Are Members of the Same Family
Most of us think that dolphins are cute and unthreatening. Well, you’ll be surprised to know that orcas and dolphins are actually members of the same Delphinidae family. Orcas are the largest members of the family, so you wouldn’t be wrong if you called them dolphins as well.
Orcas Are Apex Predators of the Sea
Orcas might not be the biggest creatures in the seas, but that isn’t stopping them from being apex predators, meaning they don’t have a natural predator of their own. They are known to hunt and overpower whales that are twice their size.
Orcas Can Travel Impressive Distances
Orcas are fast swimmers who can cover up to 160 miles per day and don’t get tired easily. As a matter of fact, they have been observed to cover a distance of 6,000 miles as part of a continuous trip.
Every Orca Clan “Speaks” a Different Language
Orcas live in groups called pods, which form a larger social group known as clan, which inhabits a certain region. The interesting thing about these clans is that each of them “speaks” a different language and has separate calls. Still, this doesn’t prevent pods from different clans from socializing with each other.
