FOOD

However, contrary to popular myths, Killer Whales DO NOT eat humans.

An average whale will eat up to 500 lbs of food a day. All this food is metabolized and turned into blubber to keep warm.

These extraordinary hunters are often termed "wolves of the sea", hunting in 'pods' or packs.

Hunting techniques range from bumping seals off of ice flows, to beaching themselves to snag sun-bathing, unsuspecting sea lions.

Other techniques are:

1. Slapping their tails on the surface of the water to create waves which wash penguins and seals off ice flows into the water
2. Orcas often work cooperatively to herd fish into compacted areas, which expends less of the whales valuable energy, and makes the fish easier to eat.
3. As a 'Wolf Pack' Orcas can kill the largest mammal on earth; the blue whale by biting, chasing and wearing down the animal.

Orcas have approximately 45 teeth, each about 3 inches in length.

Orcas do not chew their food, but rip and swallow their prey in chunks. They have very strong muslces in their mouths, also known as tongues, that help to push the chunks of food down their throats

The black dorsal side of a whale and its white under belly, allow for unique camouflaging, which makes catching prey much easier.

ORCAS