Killer Whales Growing Up

During the first year of Killer whales' lives

During the first year of killer whales' lives, the killer whale calves feed only on their killer whale mothers' milk. A killer whale calf forms a special feeding tube by holding its tongue against the roof of its mouth. The killer whale mother squirts her milk into the tube. The killer whale calf is suckled underwater, but near the surface so that both mother and baby killer whales can come up for air. Killer whale milk is extremely rich and it help the killer whale calf grow quickly. Young killer whales grow very quickly in the first year of their lives.

When killer whales are one year old

At about one year old, the killer whale calf will begin to eat solid ocean life food. Some killer whale pods feed mainly on fish. Other killer whales eat almost anything from penguins to other whales. The killer whale calf will eat the same food as other killer members of the same pod. Gradually, over several years, the killer whale calf will stop drinking its mother's milk altogether.

Killer whales sizes

Male killer whales and female killer whales calves grow at about the same rate until they are nice to ten years old. Then the male killer whales grow  more than the female killer whales.

Male killer whales can grow to nearly 32 feet long and can weigh up to 10 tons. Female killer whales can be up to 28 feet long and weigh 6 - 7 tons.

Safety Precaution

Killer whale calves appear to be attached to their killer whale mothers' side. This makes it much more difficult for sharks to see the small  killer whale calves when they look for food. Killer whale calves do this as a safety measures for protection. Young killer whales are too small and inexperienced to look out for themselves especially when sharks attack. They need their killer whale mothers and other pod members to protect them.

Killer Whale Predators

Adult killer whales have no real predators. There is nothing in the ocean for them to fear.