

A common example of killer whales using teamwork to ensure they get a meal is when they encounter schools of fish. The size of the pod ensures that they can track down food, surround them, and then move in for the kill. Studies have revealed that some killer whales hunt in pods with as few as 7 members, while other gigantic pods will reach sizes of 40 killer whales. Killer whales are highly intelligent creatures that hunt in very creative ways, including calling for some help.Īlthough the large size of whales might lead one to believe that they would need to hunt alone to find food, that’s not the case with killer whales. The killer whale’s prey needs to worry about more than just their size and speed, capable of reaching bursts of 35 mph. They require less energy for foraging in that case, so their food requirements are not as high. That amount can drop in certain conditions, such as when orcas are held in captivity. On average, a killer whale will eat between 100 and 300 pounds of food each day. These mammals need a tremendous amount of energy to keep themselves moving through the ocean waters. They routinely reach 20 feet in length and longer orcas can be 32 feet long. Larger killer whales can weigh up to 12,000 pounds, with the largest weighing over 20,000 pounds. Killer whales are very large mammals that can weigh anywhere between 6,600 to 8,800 pounds on average.

They will feed on many foods to get the sustenance they need, and they need a lot of it! How Much Do Killer Whales Eat? Killer whales need to eat hundreds of pounds of food each day. Nevertheless, killer whales are not very picky when it comes to their food. Some of them might subsist mostly on seals while others, like resident killer whales, will mostly eat fish. It is important to note that orcas live in a vast range around the world, and several types of killer whales exist. Moose ( a rare occurrence, but noteworthy).The foods that killer whales eat include: Since the killer whale is considered an apex predator, many creatures in the ocean are on the orca’s menu. Fortunately, the ocean has a bounty of prey. The killer whale is a carnivore, so it only eats the meat from other creatures. Killer whales eat fish, marine mammals, and cephalopods. What Foods Do Killer Whales (Orcas) Eat? Killer whales eat fish, squid, seals, sea birds, and more. We’re going to take a closer look at the foods that killer whales prefer, how they hunt, and how they deal with captivity and competition. Since they are at the top of the food chain, it’s only fair to ask, what do killer whales eat? They are apex predators that live in every ocean around the world. Even though these creatures may resemble other gentle giants in the sea, the killer whale lives up to its name. Killer whales (orca) are massive aquatic mammals and members of the dolphin family.
