Their diet depends on their location and the specific population:
* Transient killer whales: These are the most common type. They primarily eat marine mammals like seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and even larger whales. They are highly intelligent and skilled hunters, often using coordinated tactics to bring down their prey.
* Resident killer whales: These live in specific areas and primarily feed on fish like salmon, herring, cod, and halibut. They are known for their complex communication and social structure, with pods sharing information about prey locations.
* Offshore killer whales: These travel further out in the ocean and have a broader diet, including sharks, rays, and squid.
General eating habits:
* Carnivores: Killer whales are exclusively carnivorous, meaning they only eat meat.
* Large appetites: They have a large appetite, eating an average of 4-5% of their body weight daily. This can be up to 500 pounds of food for a large adult.
* Cooperative hunters: Many killer whales hunt in groups, coordinating their movements to trap and kill their prey.
* Sound communication: They use echolocation to find their prey, emitting clicks and whistles that bounce off objects in the water.
Interesting facts:
* The "bite force" of a killer whale is among the strongest of any animal.
* Killer whales have been observed displaying complex social behavior. This includes mourning their dead, sharing food with other pods, and even "playing" with each other.
While killer whales are at the top of the food chain, they are still vulnerable to threats like pollution, habitat loss, and human activities. Protecting these magnificent creatures is crucial for maintaining the health of our oceans.