On World Wildlife Day, we"re in the ice-cold waters around the Norwegian island of Spildra with a pod of orcas, also known as killer whales. These apex predators are at the top of the food chain with a diet that includes a smorgasbord of sea creatures including fish, penguins, and even sharks and whales. They hunt in pods, family groups of up to 40 individuals that work together using special hunting techniques sometimes likened to packs of wolves. Despite their scary name, they almost never attack humans and there are no documented cases of wild orcas killing anyone. The name "killer whale" is thought to come from Spanish sailors who saw groups of them hunting big whales. Orcas are also the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family, Delphinidae.
Killer whales in Spildra, Norway
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Celebrating sea otters
-
Fin whales: A success story
-
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
-
When an ideal microclimate gives you lemons…
-
A day for the oceans
-
Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco
-
Fresh water on the Silk Road
-
Patriot Day
-
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah
-
World Elephant Day
-
International Archaeology Day
-
A bohemian feline
-
Night of the ‘Cold Moon’
-
Preservation Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana
-
Tafilalet oasis in Morocco
-
Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
-
The Unfinished Obelisk near Aswan, Egypt
-
Memorial Day
-
Alpine marmots at Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
-
American Eagle Day
-
White Sands National Park turns 90
-
Gauchos showcase Argentina’s independent spirit
-
International Day for Biological Diversity
-
Womens History Month
-
It’s oh so quiet
-
Mont-Saint-Michel
-
Everyone s watching the Perseids
-
Frozen beauty
-
North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
-
Sailing on thick ice