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===Eating other whales=== | ===Eating other whales=== | ||
Killer whales are very sophisticated and effective predators of marine mammals. Thirty-two cetacean species have been recorded as prey, from observing orcas' feeding activity, examining the stomach contents of dead orcas, and seeing scars on the bodies of surviving prey animals. Groups even attack larger cetaceans such as [[minke whale]]s, [[ | Killer whales are very sophisticated and effective predators of marine mammals. Thirty-two cetacean species have been recorded as prey, from observing orcas' feeding activity, examining the stomach contents of dead orcas, and seeing scars on the bodies of surviving prey animals. Groups even attack larger cetaceans such as [[minke whale]]s, [[humpback whale]]s, [[sperm whale]]s, and [[blue whale]]s. | ||
Hunting large whales usually takes several hours. Killer whales generally choose to attack young or weak animals; however, a group of five or more may attack a healthy adult. When hunting a young whale, a group chases it and its mother until they wear out. Eventually, they separate the pair and surround the calf, preventing it from surfacing to breathe, drowning it. Pods of female sperm whales sometimes protect themselves by forming a protective circle around their calves with their flukes facing outwards, using them to repel the attackers. Rarely, large killer whale pods can overwhelm even adult female sperm whales. Adult bull sperm whales, which are large, powerful and aggressive when threatened, and fully grown adult blue whales, which are possibly too large to overwhelm, are not believed to be prey for killer whales. | Hunting large whales usually takes several hours. Killer whales generally choose to attack young or weak animals; however, a group of five or more may attack a healthy adult. When hunting a young whale, a group chases it and its mother until they wear out. Eventually, they separate the pair and surround the calf, preventing it from surfacing to breathe, drowning it. Pods of female sperm whales sometimes protect themselves by forming a protective circle around their calves with their flukes facing outwards, using them to repel the attackers. Rarely, large killer whale pods can overwhelm even adult female sperm whales. Adult bull sperm whales, which are large, powerful and aggressive when threatened, and fully grown adult blue whales, which are possibly too large to overwhelm, are not believed to be prey for killer whales. | ||
==Symbol of Westarctica== | ==Symbol of Westarctica== | ||
The orca is the official whale of [[Westarctica]] and is used as supporters on the lesser coat of arms. Orcas were featured on the coin created for [[Sturge Island]] in 2012 | The orca is the official whale of [[Westarctica]] and is used as supporters on the lesser [[National Symbols of Westarctica|coat of arms]]. Orcas were featured on the coin created for [[Sturge Island]] in 2012. In 2019 the [[Illustrious Antarctic Order of the Orca]] was created as the new highest [[Orders of Westarctica|Westarctican knighthood]]. The orca was selected due to its depiction on the nation's Lesser Arms. They were additionally chosen due to their status as an apex predator, communal nature, and gentle disposition known for becoming aggressive when necessary. | ||
[[Category:Animals of Westarctica]] | [[Category:Animals of Westarctica]] | ||
[[Category:Whales]] | [[Category:Whales]] | ||