WHAT DO KILLER WHALES EAT?

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The killer whale - also known as an orca - is the only whale to feed on other warm bloodied animals. Old sailor stories have built up an infamous reputaion for the killer whale, yet this mammal has never been known to attack a human being in the water.

While mankind is not on the menu, killer whales have a varied diet and will also specialise on certain prey depending on where in the world they inhabit.

The killer whale diet can include fish, squid, seals, sea lions, walruses, birds, sea turtles. otters, penguins, polar bears, reptiles, sharks, octopus and even smaller whales.

Killer whales eat about 500 pounds of food each day. Therefore, up to 60% of their time can be spent to get food.

In some odd cases, even land mammals have been found in the stomach of some Killer whales and some occasions Killer whales have eaten some other killer whales, although this behavior has not been scientifically documented.

An agile and intelligent animal, the killer whale will use several tactics in order to catch its prey, but the secret to the hunting success of killer whales is co-operation within their closely-knit groups, with the catch being shared later. A group of dolphins is more accurately known as a pod.

For example of their hunting technique, when seeking out a shoal of fish, a killer whale will use begin by using eco-location in order to find it. Once found, the fish are hearded towards the shore where there is no escape before feasting on their catch. Killer whales are also known to hunt seals using this method.

In open water, the killer whale can often be seen 'spy hopping' which is when they  rise upright out of the water in order to look around for prey.

When attacking larger species of whales for food the whole pod joins in for the hunt. Some sieze the quarries tail in an attempt to immobilise it, while others attackfrom any direction.

In colder regions, some smallpods are skilled enough to tip over small ice floes using a their combined bow wave in order to catch baskingseals that slide off into the water.

However, killer whales, easily change their eating habits if they move from one place to another, adapting quickly to the available food in the region.

For larger prey, killer whales may not use herding, but they instead use their tail flukes to stun or kill the prey and then tear it with their large and sharp teeth. However, their teeth are not used to chew like us, they use it only to tear their prey and then they swallow it whole.

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Based on an article http://orca.dolphins-world.com/what-do-killer-whales-eat.html and the Wildlife Fact file
Photos care of http://wildwhales.org/killer-whale/ and http://www.ikbis.com/shots/176681 and http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=4ab95d2a-9bab-4124-84ef-54a9512859d0&sponsor=