This meaning of "grampus" should not be confused with the genus Grampus, whose only member is Risso's dolphin. "Grampus" is a former name for the species, but is now seldom used. They are sometimes referred to as "blackfish", a name also used for other whale species. As part of the family Delphinidae, the species is more closely related to other oceanic dolphins than to other whales. orcae) for these animals, possibly borrowing Ancient Greek ὄρυξ ( óryx), which referred (among other things) to a whale species, perhaps a narwhal. The genus name Orcinus means "of the kingdom of the dead", or "belonging to Orcus". Since the 1960s, the use of "orca" instead of "killer whale" has steadily grown in common use. Orcas are commonly referred to as "killer whales", despite being a type of dolphin. Orcas feature strongly in the mythologies of indigenous cultures, and their reputation in different cultures ranges from being the souls of humans to merciless killers. There have been cases of captive orcas killing or injuring their handlers at marine theme parks. Orcas are not usually a threat to humans, and no fatal attack has ever been documented in their natural habitat. In late 2005, the southern resident orcas, which swim in British Columbia and Washington waters, were placed on the U.S. Some local populations are considered threatened or endangered due to prey depletion, habitat loss, pollution (by PCBs), capture for marine mammal parks, and conflicts with human fisheries. The International Union for Conservation of Nature assesses the orca's conservation status as data deficient because of the likelihood that two or more orca types are separate species. Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviors, often specific to a particular group and passed along from generation to generation are considered to be manifestations of animal culture. They are highly social some populations are composed of highly stable matrilineal family groups (pods). This includes a variety of fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals such as seals and other dolphins and whales. Individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Orcas are apex predators with a diverse diet. A cosmopolitan species, orcas are found in diverse marine environments, from Arctic to Antarctic regions to tropical seas. Orcas are recognizable by their black-and-white patterned body. It is the only extant species in the genus Orcinus. The orca ( Orcinus orca), or killer whale, is a toothed whale that is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |