Hobbies And Interests
Eating
Killer whales travel in pods and regularly hunt together for food. They surround their prey and will sometimes thrust their tail flukes to stun marine life before killing and eating it. Whales from different regions eat a variety of animals, such as salmon, fish, seals, sea lions, walruses, sharks and other whales. Some killer whales even eat penguins and other seabirds, such as seagulls. Although very uncommon, polar bears and moose have been found in the stomachs of killer whales.
Mating
Whales have several partners and do not mate for life. Although breeding is most common during summertime, whales mate at all times of the year. Females are ready to mate when they reach between six and 10 years of age and go into "heat" about four times per year. Females can bear calves into their 40s. Males reach sexually maturity later between 10 and 13 years of age.
Social Habits
Killer whales are social creatures and travel together in social units called pods. There are strong social bonds formed within pods. The size of the pod varies, but typically pods consist of a few whales to about 30 whales. Whales will stay with their pods long-term, but exchange members occasionally. This is especially true during mating season. Males, females and baby whales, called calves, travel together.
Behaviors
Spy hopping is the term used for whales that rise vertically out of the water with their heads in plain view. This is done when whales are checking out boats or other things above the water's surface. Whales also breach, which is an act of jumping entirely out of the water, spinning and landing on its back or side in the water. The reason for breaching is unknown. Whales slap their pectoral fins on the water to attract the attention of other whales.