World Orca Day & its History | Characteristics of Orca – the Killer Whale

World Orca Day is celebrated annually on the 14^th of July. This animal has different names like Killer Whale, Asesina ballenas, and kasatka. This Day aims to raise awareness about orcas and their conservation. This day also highlights the importance of orcas Conservation and protection of orcas habitat. Moreover, this day highlights their role in marine ecosystems. Furthermore, orcas are also called indicator species and Umbrella species. Because it can tell a lot about the health and well-being of an ecosystem. Therefore, it is necessary to protect these killer whales properly. Characteristics of Orca are also elaborated here.

شارک مچھلیوں میں کمی ، بعض اقسام ناپید ہونے کا خدشہ ،ڈبلیو ڈبلیو ایف

History of World Orca Day

World Orca Day was first launched by Dr Ingrid N. Visser on 8^th November 2013. She launched this day at the World Whale Conference in Boston USA. However, this day was first celebrated in 2014. Dr Visser is a cetologist. She researches orcas in New Zealand waters through Orca Research Trust. She founded Orca Research Trust in 1998. So, World Orca Day was first launched in collaboration with this trust. Other ocean-focused organizations also joined this event. The support for World Orca Day continues to grow. Hence, in 2020 more than 40 NGOs joined this event to promote orcas conservation.

مائیکروپلاسٹک، انسانی اور سمندری حیات کیلئے بڑا خطرہ؛ کیسے بچاجائے؟

What is Orca – the Killer Whale

Orcinus Orca is also called a killer whale. This name is due to its preying characteristics. It is not a whale but it belongs to the dolphin family Delphinidae. Orca is the largest of the dolphins. It is one of the world’s most powerful predators. Orcas are immediately recognizable by striking black-and-white coloration. They belong to the genus Orcinus. They are highly social mammals.

World Migratory Fish Day

World Tuna Day

Characteristics of Orca – Killer Whale

Orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family. The adult male length reaches up to 20 to 26 feet and weight up to 12,000 pounds. The color pattern is distinct among the characteristics of Orca They are easily recognizable by their distinct black and white pattern. They have black backs and white chests and sides. They are mostly black but with sharply bordered white areas. The lower jaw is entirely white. The tail fin is also white on the underside. While the eyes have white oval-shaped patches behind and above them.

Males have taller and more triangular dorsal fins. Females have shorter and curved fins. Their body shape is roughly cylindrical but tapering at both ends. Their forelimbs are adapted for swimming.

Killer whale uses its rounded, paddle-like pectoral flippers to steer. Killer Whale pectoral flippers have the major skeletal elements of the forelimbs. But, they are shortened and modified. Their skeletal elements are rigidly supported by connective tissue. Moreover, the blood circulation in pectoral flippers helps to maintain body temperature. These pectoral flippers are larger in males than females.

Each lobe of the two-lobed tail is called a fluke. These flukes are flat pads made of tough, dense, and fibrous connective tissue. Moreover, these flukes are without bone and cartilage. Male Killer whales have the largest dorsal fin of any mammal. While in female killer whales have a bit shorter and curved fins. This fin acts like a keel. Each dorsal fin is unique for each killer whale. They have snout-like projections.

On top of the head, they have a single blowhole. This blowhole is covered by a muscular flap. Orcas breathe through their blowhole. Moreover, they have echolocation abilities to detect the location and characteristics of prey. Furthermore, they have conical and interlocking teeth.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

See Full Bio