Essay - Killer Whales Summary: This is a 1500 Word Research Paper...

Killer Whales

Summary: This is a 1500 word research paper on killer whales. It has 6 sources.

SUMMARY

The following is a brief overview of the biologic*****l classification, diet, distribution and social behavior of ***** mammalian orcinus orca. The research also outlines the factors that are responsible for the decline in orcinus ***** population around the world today. Special emphasis has been given to resident ***** orca ***** demystify the concept that orcas ***** lethal to ***** fishermen and hence should be targeted ***** hunting.

INTRODUCTION

Orcinus orca, commonly known as the ***** whale, is a *****p predator marine mammal. Orcas are very social animals and live in pods. Dur*****g the past 30 years extensive research has ***** conducted for the species regarding behavioral ecology, genetics, ***** monitoring, ***** studies and acoustic research. Much ***** ***** research has been dedicated to the study of resident orcas. In recent years there has been a sharp decline in the numbers ***** resident orcas. In the following study the author ***** ***** various issues relating to the cause of ***** decline have ***** suggested, some of them are declining fish populations, vessel traffic, toxic exposure and underwater noise. The researcher will also prove the misconception that killer *****s are harmless to humans.

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Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

*****: Vertebrata

Class: Mammalia

*****: Cetacean (all whales, dolphins and porpoises)

Suborder: Odon*****ceti (all toothed whales)

*****: Delphinidae (all ocean *****)

Genus: Orcinus

Species: orca ("British Columbia Killer Whale Adoption Program" 2004)

Distribution

After humans, killer whales are the most widely distributed *****s on earth. Although ********** are found in ***** oceans, they prefer colder areas especially the polar areas and are most abundant in Antarctica, Northern Japan, Iceland, Norway, Alaska and the Pacific Coast of North America. The largest population is estimated to be 1*****0000 in Antarctica. A lot of researches on orcas have been c*****ducted ***** the British ***** and Sou*****astern *****laska. Two types of orcas are found in these regions the resident and transient. These two vary ***** terms ***** morphology, habitat, diet and vocal patterns. The ***** orcas ***** further divided into ********** and Southern clans.

Transients and residents ***** been located along the western coast of North America from Southeast Alaska to California. Off shore orcas have been encountered far from the coast line from ***** West ***** of Vancouver Island ***** Los Angeles.

Structural Details

The killer whale or the 'wolf of the sea' is ***** largest member of the dolphin family Delphinidae. The ***** can be distinguished by their distinct black skin and white patterns and their large d*****sal fins. The adult male grows up to 9m (10,000 kg), the female 7m (7,500 kg) while the calf or juvenile is 2.5m (200 kg). The average life expectancy ***** females ***** longer than that of ***** male; 50 ***** 90 years for females compared to 30 ***** 60 years for males.("British Columbia Killer Whale Adoption Program" **********) ***** principal difference between the male orca ***** female orca is the