Context: Many Orcas, often called killer whales, have been found sharing freshly killed prey with humans. Orcas shared their offerings to humans including seaweed, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Orcas: Killer Whales.
About Orcas
- Orca is a toothed whale and the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family.
- They are called killer whales because of their reputation as powerful predators in the marine world.
- It has distinct pigmentation: black on top, white on the bottom and having recognisable white eye patches.
- They live and hunt in groups led by a matriarch (the oldest female) and the group’s behaviour largely depends on the matriarch.
- While orcas are known to be prosocial animals, they rarely interact with humans.
- They have a larger brain size relative to the size of the body. This trait is linked to better cognition, learning, and social behaviour.
- IUCN Status: Data Deficient.