Killer Whale

By: M. M.    

Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus and Species |  ghhg

Kingdom: Animalia return to index

• Multicellular

• Heterotrophs

• Special tissues

Phylum: Chordata return to index

• a bilateral, symmetry, segmented bodies

• segmented muscles

• a tail projecting beyond the anus

Class: Mammalia return to index

• babies are born alive

• fed through milk gland for newborns

Order: Ceteca return to index

• It is a odontoceti (a toothed whale)

• only live in water

• all natural procedures are done under water

Family: Orcinus return to index

• males are usually larger than females

• have dorsal fins( usually curved)

• mostly stay near surface

Genus and Species: orcinus, orca  return to index

    Killer whales are so interesting that scientists all over the world are studding them.  The killer whale has many unique habitats and characteristics.  I believe that from what I've learned killer whales are easy to learn about.

    Killer whales have many unique characteristics that help them adapt to their habitat.  For example, one characteristic is the curved fin on their backs used for speed. This shows that they have the ability to have quick getaways from predators and can do hook turns.  For example, another characteristic is their double layered teeth.  This shows that they have back up teeth and will rarely have hunting problems because of their teeth.  For example, the last characteristic is their thick blubber that enables them to stay warm.  This shows that they will not get cold during deep dives and will come up faster because it has air pockets in it.  In conclusion, killer whales have many unique traits that keep them alive.

    A killer whale's habitat is unique and requires numbers of whales.  For example, a characteristic of their habitat is that they travel in pods up to fifty whales.  This shows that whales  travel in safe numbers so they won't get attacked by predators.  For example, another characteristic, is that they usually stay near the top of the water.  This shows that they stay warm and don't dive a lot.  For example,  the last characteristic is that they stay warm in water.  This shows that they probably can't dive too deep or they will freeze.  This also shows that fisher men can find them by following the water's temperature.

    Killer whales are interesting animals and are easy to study.  Killer whales live in simple habitats and their characteristics help them immensely to survive.  Today, oceans are being polluted and in order for Killer whales population to stay steady we need to work on keeping the ocean cleaner. 

Haiku swift and playful, they like to dive in the ocean wonderful whales

Work cited

Bonner, Nigel, and Suzanne Sessine. Home Page. <http://http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/orcinus/o._orca$narrative.html>.

Muzzy, Catherine. Personal interview. 16 Apr. 2003.

Myers, Philip. Home Page. 16 Apr. 2003 <http://http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/animalia.html>.

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