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Species A small killer whale belongs to the dolphin family. Externally, it does not differ from the usual killer whale, only slightly smaller in size.
Description
The length of the female body can reach 5 meters, and males - up to 6 meters. Body weight varies from 980 to 180 kg.
Almost completely, the killer whale is painted black. Only in the neck and throat there is a gray tint. Because of the dark color, the little killer whale is also called black. On the sides are narrow and pointed fins. The dorsal fin has the shape of a sickle. The shape of the head in the form of a cone. Inside the mouth there are about 44 large and very sharp teeth.
Habitats
Diet and behavior in the wild
The main food in the small killer whale is fish. In zoology, there are no moments of aggression of the species on other underwater animals. From this we can conclude that the small killer whale does not pose a great danger, like ordinary killer whales. In general, these 2 varieties are completely different from each other, not counting the external similarities. Because of the big differences, the black orca was also called false, emphasizing the interspecific difference.
Lesser killer whales prefer flocking life. Migration occurs rarely and only for short distances. This type is not peculiar to the nomadic way of life.
The value of the species for humans
Killer whale hunting is a rare occurrence, as they do not carry much value for human fishing.In most cases, small killer whales are caught in Japan, where all seafood is the favorite delicacy of the locals. In other countries, marine animals live in huge oceanariums where they are taught tricks. Performances with false killer whales are always greeted with fiery delight thanks to the beautiful performance.
Interesting features
The species has one distinctive feature - from time to time some individuals are thrown onto the land. This phenomenon creates a lot of controversy among scholars and ordinary citizens. A concrete example: in 2005, many representatives of the species leaped onto the land of Australia, the southwestern part of Australia. Almost the entire coast was littered with black bodies. Then scientists were able to identify 4 groups of small killer whales, which were 300 meters apart. Scientists have concluded that such divisions are ordinary flocks of killer whales.
However, due to the quick reaction of caring people, it was possible to avoid the mass extinction of the species. During the operation only 1 individual died. About 1,500 people gathered to rescue black orcas.
In 2009, mass ejection was also recorded on the coast of West Africa (Mauritania). The phenomenon found early in the morning. Thanks to the volunteers, the black orcas were back in the sea again.
This behavior has not yet been studied. Scientists cannot reach a general conclusion regarding the mass suicides of marine mammals. Because of this, all new theories appear. The most logical and popular of them: there are active underwater processes in the crust of the Earth. Because of this, the behavior of killer whales changes dramatically. Man can not investigate these phenomena, as they occur in the sea column. However, if this theory is true, many other questions arise: why only certain species react so sharply to underwater changes? For example, dolphins are not massively thrown onto the shore, as do killer whales and whales.
View protection
Another factor is the man himself. In many countries where fishing is booming, the small killer whale is very valuable because of its delicious meat.
Individuals can swallow dangerous garbage, which causes them to die in agony. Also off the coast of Australia, black killer whales often become entangled in fishing nets.
Marine equipment affects the health and life of killer whales. Like many members of the cetacean family, killer whales have very sensitive hearing. The sound signals of the ships harm the hearing aid.
Scientists predict changes in the climate of the entire planet, which will affect the lives of animals.
Video: minor killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens)
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