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
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Hen Galan
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Happy Hobbit Day
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A medieval celebration in the Mediterranean
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World Turtle Day
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Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
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Celebrating women in science
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World Rainforest Day
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Citizenship Day and Constitution Day
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Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
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Festivus
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Celebrate Mandela Day
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Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy
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Þorrablót, Icelandic midwinter festival
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Going head-to-head with winter
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Fish River Canyon, Namibia
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Hiding in plain sight
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A rest stop for the birds
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Festival of British Archaeology
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Casting a vote for women s history
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Welcome to the drainpipe of the Pacific
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The Wall for Peace
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Rock of ages
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European Day of Parks
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