1. Echolocation: Orcas use echolocation to find and locate prey. They produce high-pitched clicks and listen for the echoes that bounce back off objects in the water. This ability helps them detect prey, even in dark or murky waters.
2. Communication and Cooperation: Orcas often hunt cooperatively. They communicate with each other through a series of vocalizations and body language to coordinate their movements and strategies.
3. Hunting Techniques: Orcas use various hunting techniques depending on the prey they target. Some common techniques include:
- Ramming: Orcas may use their powerful bodies to ram and stun their prey.
- Breaching: Orcas may breach the water surface, landing on or disorienting their prey.
- Tail Slapping: Orcas use their powerful tails to slap the water, stunning or injuring prey.
- Spyhopping: Orcas lift their heads out of the water to obtain a better view and locate potential prey.
4. Feeding: Orcas have specialized teeth for different types of prey. Their front teeth are conical and used for grasping, while their back teeth are flattened and used for tearing and grinding. They typically consume their prey whole or tear off chunks of flesh.
5. Diet: Orcas are apex predators and have a varied diet that includes a wide range of marine animals, such as fish (e.g., salmon, tuna, herring), seals, sea lions, sea otters, and even other whales and dolphins.
It's worth noting that different orca populations may have specific feeding preferences and techniques based on their habitat and available prey. Orcas are highly adaptable and have evolved to exploit various food sources in their environment.