Orca


 
 
Orca

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The Orca (Orcinus orca), also known as the Killer Whale or Grampus, is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family. It is the second-most widely distributed mammal on Earth (after humans) and is found in all the world's oceans. It is also a versatile predator, eating fish, turtles, birds, seals, sharks and even other juvenile and small cetaceans. This puts the Orca at the pinnacle of the marine food chain. The orca also attacks other whales, in particular Gray Whales.

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The name "killer whale" reflects the animal's reputation as a magnificent and fearsome sea mammal that goes as far back as Pliny the Elder's description of the species. Today it is recognized that the Orca is neither a whale (except in the broad sense that all cetaceans are whales) nor a danger to humans. No attack on a human by an Orca in the wild has ever been recorded. There have, however, been isolated reports of captive Orcas attacking their handlers at marine theme parks.

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Family: :This article is about the human domestic group. For other uses, see Family (disambiguation)....

Predator: A predator is an animal or other organism (such as a carnivorous plant) that hunts and kills other organisms for food in an act called predation. Most predators are carnivores. Some predators are omnivores. The difference between a predator and a parasite is that for a predator killing the prey is n...

Seals: Seals, or Seales, may refer to:...


Orca related Images and Photos (experimental)

Orca Whales
Orca Whales
Lubies Orca Whale Plush
Lubies Orca Whale Plush
Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca CD
Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca CD
Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca CD
Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca CD
Mount Rainier Orca Killer Whale Blue Angels
Mount Rainier Orca Killer Whale Blue Angels
Yellowknife  NW Territories  Canada  Northern Lights and Orca
Yellowknife NW Territories Canada Northern Lights and Orca

~ Table of Content ~

Introduction
Naming
Taxonomy and evolution
Physical characteristics
Range
Social interaction
Diet
Song
Orcas in history
Orcas and modern man
Famous Orca
Media
References
Other resources
External links
 
FR: Orque


 

~ Related Subjects ~

Carnivore (1) - Omnivore (1) - Parasite (1) - Predation (1) - Marine theme parks (1) - Organism (1) - Carnivorous plant (1) - Algae (1) - Ecology (1) - Ecological dynamics (1) - Herbivores (1) - Killing (1) - Host (1) - Herbivore (1) - Predator (1) -
 

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