The Fascinating World of Orcas

Recently, during one of our boat trips, we had the incredible opportunity to see a pod of orcas, including a female with her calf. This special moment inspired us to share some fascinating facts about these magnificent marine mammals.

What are orcas?

Orcas (Orcinus orca) are the largest members of the dolphin family and are known as 'killer whales' due to their role as predators at the top of the oceanic food chain. They have one of the most complex social structures of any marine mammal, making them even more fascinating to scientists and marine life enthusiasts.

Mothers and pups: An extraordinary bond

The relationship between mothers and orca calves is one of the strongest in the animal kingdom. Here are some interesting facts about this bond:

• Orcas gestate for between 15 and 18 months, one of the longest gestation periods of any cetacean;
• calves are born measuring around 2.4 metres long and weighing around 180 kg.
• The bond between mother and calf can last a lifetime, with calves remaining with their mothers for decades.
• Breastfeeding lasts between one and two years, but learning and maternal care continue for much longer.

Family life

Orcas live in family groups called 'pods', led by an experienced female matriarch. These pods can contain up to four generations of related orcas and have unique characteristics:

• Each pod has its own 'dialect' of communication that is passed down from generation to generation;
• The family structure is essential for survival, as it is through it that orcas learn hunting, navigation and communication techniques;

Communication and learning

• Communication between orcas is highly developed and plays a crucial role in their social life.
• They use a variety of clicks, whistles and calls to communicate.
• The pups begin to vocalise soon after birth and learn the specific dialect of their family group.
• Mothers teach their offspring essential skills such as hunting and navigation techniques.
• Each group has a unique set of sounds that functions as its own 'language'.
  

Surprising facts about orcas

• Orcas can be found in every ocean on the planet, from the icy waters of the Arctic to the tropics;
• There are different 'ecotypes' of killer whales, each with different behaviours, diets and even dialects;
• Some females go through menopause and can live for decades after they stop reproducing, devoting themselves to raising grandchildren and great-grandchildren;
• Orcas can swim up to 160km a day and dive to depths of 300m;
• They have highly developed brains with areas dedicated to social cognition and learning.

Protecting our oceans

Watching orcas in the wild is a privilege that reminds us of the importance of protecting marine ecosystems. Unfortunately, these animals face threats such as pollution, underwater noise and a lack of prey. Every encounter with these ocean giants inspires us to think about what we can do to ensure that future generations will be able to witness their majesty.
Whenever they pass by, there's a big buzz on the VHF radio from all the boats, including 5emotionsalgarve's boat, the Kyros. They also communicate with the research projects based in Cádiz that observe these orcas every summer. After all, we're talking about the Iberian orca population, which the researchers from these projects know very well! Just by watching the 5emotionsalgarve videos on social media, the scientists immediately start informing you about group names, animal names, social relationships and normal behaviour.
We've already been visited by several different groups of the Iberian Orca population here in the waters off Portimão, and these photos capture one of those wonderful moments!

Enjoyed learning more about orcas?

Follow our blog for more stories and curiosities about marine life. And, of course, join us on our boat trips for unforgettable moments like this one!
Take a look at this fascinating article: Common Dolphin

Photographs by Ângela Pinto and Elena Deligant, aboard the Kyros boat of the company 5emotionsAlgarve.