Orca Song Author:Michael C. Armour The orca whale, also called "killer whale," has no natural enemies, apart from humans. Weighing four to ten tons, these warm-blooded air-breathing mammals grow to 30 feet long and may live as long as 50 years. — Young orca pups are bound by life-long ties to their mothers, usually swimming no more than 100 yards from their mother's sides. Orcas... more » often travel in pods over long distances to feed on the seasonal food supplies. Generally, young orcas play together, and, by their teens, their bodies are covered with scars from boisterous years.
Orcas are best known for their distinctive swimming and jumping abilities. Besides speeding and turning easily under water, orcas perform acrobatic feats above water, such as spy hops, flipper slaps, belly whops, spiralling breaches, and barrel rolls.« less