Locomotion
Killer whales have a very powerful tail fin which is known as the Flukes. This fin allows the killer whales to move forward. The tail flukes also provide dolphins with good power for swimming and jumping out of the water. The flippers on their sides are used for stabilization. Killer whales can swim up to 30 km/h, which is made easy by the shape of their bodies. Killer whales have a very streamlined body which is shaped like a torpedo. This shape reduces the degree of resistance from the water passing over the dolphins body as it swims. Killer whales are expert divers as well and they can reach depths of more than 300 meters during a single dive.
Species Description
Weight:
males can weigh up to 22,000 pounds
(10,000 kg);
females can weigh up to
16,500 pounds (7,500
kg)
Length:
males can reach 32 feet
(10 m);
females
can reach 28 feet (8.5 m)
Appearance:
black on top with white undersides and
white patches
near their eyes
Lifespan:
males typically live for
about 30 years,
but can live as long as 50-60 years;
females typically
live about 50
years,but can live as long as 80-90 years
Diet:
diet
is often geographic or population
specific and varies from fish to other
marine mammals to
sharks
Behavior:
highly social animals; rely on
underwater
sound for orientation, feeding, and communication; make
whistles and pulsed
calls, believed to be used for communication and
during social
activities.
males can weigh up to 22,000 pounds
(10,000 kg);
females can weigh up to
16,500 pounds (7,500
kg)
Length:
males can reach 32 feet
(10 m);
females
can reach 28 feet (8.5 m)
Appearance:
black on top with white undersides and
white patches
near their eyes
Lifespan:
males typically live for
about 30 years,
but can live as long as 50-60 years;
females typically
live about 50
years,but can live as long as 80-90 years
Diet:
diet
is often geographic or population
specific and varies from fish to other
marine mammals to
sharks
Behavior:
highly social animals; rely on
underwater
sound for orientation, feeding, and communication; make
whistles and pulsed
calls, believed to be used for communication and
during social
activities.
Circulatory system
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/4/5/26458708/7297366.jpg?531)
The killer whale is a warm-blooded animal with an internal body
temperature of about 36.4-38 degrees Celsius.
Since it is a mammal, the killer whale’s circulatory system is much like
the human’s circulatory system, in that it also has lungs, needs oxygen to
breath, and is a closed system; It is also very different, since whales need
more oxygen to keep their organs supplied for longer periods under water and
diving.
This animal has a more abundant supply of red blood cells and a higher
concentration of hemoglobin than normal humans, allowing for a larger amount of
oxygen to be stored in the blood. The killer whale breathes through a blowhole located at the top of
the head.
- When relaxed, the blowhole is closed. Contracting the muscular flap that
covers the hole opens the blowhole.
- The whale’s lungs contain more alveoli and is surrounded by two layers of
capillaries increasing the surface area for more efficient gas exchange.
- To make the most efficient use of their oxygen supply,
their blood will flow only to the organs that need oxygen the most.
- They may also be able to slow down their heart rate to reduce the amount of
oxygen that their bodies use and keep from sending deoxygenated blood to the
lungs which would cause raised pressure in the lungs.
- Below the water, the whale holds its breath. On its way to the surface, the
whale exhales then quickly takes a breath as it reaches the surface.
http://killrwhale.wordpress.com/body-systems/
temperature of about 36.4-38 degrees Celsius.
Since it is a mammal, the killer whale’s circulatory system is much like
the human’s circulatory system, in that it also has lungs, needs oxygen to
breath, and is a closed system; It is also very different, since whales need
more oxygen to keep their organs supplied for longer periods under water and
diving.
This animal has a more abundant supply of red blood cells and a higher
concentration of hemoglobin than normal humans, allowing for a larger amount of
oxygen to be stored in the blood. The killer whale breathes through a blowhole located at the top of
the head.
- When relaxed, the blowhole is closed. Contracting the muscular flap that
covers the hole opens the blowhole.
- The whale’s lungs contain more alveoli and is surrounded by two layers of
capillaries increasing the surface area for more efficient gas exchange.
- To make the most efficient use of their oxygen supply,
their blood will flow only to the organs that need oxygen the most.
- They may also be able to slow down their heart rate to reduce the amount of
oxygen that their bodies use and keep from sending deoxygenated blood to the
lungs which would cause raised pressure in the lungs.
- Below the water, the whale holds its breath. On its way to the surface, the
whale exhales then quickly takes a breath as it reaches the surface.
http://killrwhale.wordpress.com/body-systems/