Amazing Trivia Facts About Killer Whales! Quiz

1. What type of reproduction do killer whales perform?

Asexual reproduction: Budding

Sexual reproduction: Hermaphrodite

Sexual reproduction: Internal fertilization

Sexual reproduction: External fertilization

Killer whales perform sexual reproduction through internal fertilization. This means that the male whale transfers sperm directly into the female's reproductive system, where fertilization occurs. This type of reproduction is common among mammals, including marine mammals like killer whales. It allows for genetic variation and the production of offspring with a combination of traits from both parents.

Explanation

Killer whales perform sexual reproduction through internal fertilization. This means that the male whale transfers sperm directly into the female's reproductive system, where fertilization occurs. This type of reproduction is common among mammals, including marine mammals like killer whales. It allows for genetic variation and the production of offspring with a combination of traits from both parents.

2. How do whales swim or propel themselves forward in water?

Whales move their tails back and forth to move forward in the water similar to other fish.

Whales move their tails up and down to move forward in the water unlike other fish.

Jumps up and down

Whales move their tails up and down to move forward in the water unlike other fish. This is because whales have horizontal tails, also known as flukes, which are specially adapted for swimming. When a whale moves its tail up and down, it creates a powerful force that propels it forward through the water. This is different from other fish, which typically use their tails to move side to side. Additionally, whales can also use their flippers and buoyancy to assist in their forward movement.

Explanation

Whales move their tails up and down to move forward in the water unlike other fish. This is because whales have horizontal tails, also known as flukes, which are specially adapted for swimming. When a whale moves its tail up and down, it creates a powerful force that propels it forward through the water. This is different from other fish, which typically use their tails to move side to side. Additionally, whales can also use their flippers and buoyancy to assist in their forward movement.

3. Which of the following body parts of the calf comes out first during delivery?

Head

Flipper

Tail

Fin

During the delivery of a calf, the tail is the body part that comes out first. This is because the calf is positioned inside the mother's womb with its head towards the back and its tail towards the birth canal. As the calf begins to be born, the tail emerges first, followed by the rest of the body. This allows the calf to navigate through the birth canal more easily, with the head and front legs being the last to come out.

Explanation

During the delivery of a calf, the tail is the body part that comes out first. This is because the calf is positioned inside the mother's womb with its head towards the back and its tail towards the birth canal. As the calf begins to be born, the tail emerges first, followed by the rest of the body. This allows the calf to navigate through the birth canal more easily, with the head and front legs being the last to come out.

4. How long is the gestation period of a killer whale?

9

10

17

20

The correct answer is 17. The gestation period of a killer whale, also known as an orca, is approximately 17 months. This is one of the longest gestation periods among mammals. During this time, the female killer whale carries and nurtures her unborn calf until it is ready to be born. This lengthy gestation period allows for the development of the calf's complex brain and social skills, which are crucial for its survival in the wild.

Explanation

The correct answer is 17. The gestation period of a killer whale, also known as an orca, is approximately 17 months. This is one of the longest gestation periods among mammals. During this time, the female killer whale carries and nurtures her unborn calf until it is ready to be born. This lengthy gestation period allows for the development of the calf's complex brain and social skills, which are crucial for its survival in the wild.

5. What lifestyle change happens during the female is pregnant?

She is given more food by her pod

She sleeps about 18 hours a day

She swims much slower

She does not participate much in hunting

During pregnancy, female mammals often experience changes in their behavior and physical abilities to protect and nurture their unborn offspring. In this case, the correct answer suggests that the female does not participate much in hunting. This is likely because hunting requires physical exertion and may pose a risk to both the mother and the developing fetus. By reducing her involvement in hunting, the female can prioritize the safety and well-being of her unborn offspring.

Explanation

During pregnancy, female mammals often experience changes in their behavior and physical abilities to protect and nurture their unborn offspring. In this case, the correct answer suggests that the female does not participate much in hunting. This is likely because hunting requires physical exertion and may pose a risk to both the mother and the developing fetus. By reducing her involvement in hunting, the female can prioritize the safety and well-being of her unborn offspring.

6. What breathing strategy did whales have to develop in order to survive so well under water?

Whales had to develop conscious breathing in order to survive so well under water.

Whales do not have a special breathing strategy; they breathe automatically in the same way as humans do.

Whales have gills

Whales had to develop conscious breathing in order to survive so well under water. This means that they have to actively control their breathing and cannot rely on automatic processes like humans do. This is necessary because whales cannot breathe underwater like fish with gills, and they need to come to the surface to take in air. By developing conscious breathing, whales have adapted to their aquatic environment and can effectively regulate their oxygen intake while diving for extended periods of time.

Explanation

Whales had to develop conscious breathing in order to survive so well under water. This means that they have to actively control their breathing and cannot rely on automatic processes like humans do. This is necessary because whales cannot breathe underwater like fish with gills, and they need to come to the surface to take in air. By developing conscious breathing, whales have adapted to their aquatic environment and can effectively regulate their oxygen intake while diving for extended periods of time.

7. On average, what's the weight of a newborn killer whale?

200-400 pounds

400-600 pounds

600-700 pounds

800-1000 pounds

Newborn killer whale calves weigh around 400 to 600 pounds (180 to 270 kilograms) at birth.

Explanation

Newborn killer whale calves weigh around 400 to 600 pounds (180 to 270 kilograms) at birth.

8. A pregnant killer whale's progesterone levels are closely related to which of the following factors?

Food ingested

Body temperature

Body mass

Body weight

A pregnant killer whale's progesterone levels are closely related to its body temperature. Progesterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy and regulating the reproductive cycle. Changes in body temperature can affect hormone production and balance in the body, including progesterone levels. Therefore, fluctuations in body temperature can impact the progesterone levels of a pregnant killer whale, making it closely related to body temperature.

Explanation

A pregnant killer whale's progesterone levels are closely related to its body temperature. Progesterone is a hormone that plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy and regulating the reproductive cycle. Changes in body temperature can affect hormone production and balance in the body, including progesterone levels. Therefore, fluctuations in body temperature can impact the progesterone levels of a pregnant killer whale, making it closely related to body temperature.

9. Killer whales are which of the following colours when they are born?

Black and blue

Black and white

Black and yellow

Black and brown

Killer whales are not black and yellow when they are born. This is an incorrect answer. Killer whales are actually born black and white. As they grow older, their coloration may change and develop into a more distinct black and white pattern.

Explanation

Killer whales are not black and yellow when they are born. This is an incorrect answer. Killer whales are actually born black and white. As they grow older, their coloration may change and develop into a more distinct black and white pattern.

10. Which of the following hormones do NOT become elevated during pregnancy?

GH

FSH

Estrogen

Progestrone

During pregnancy, the levels of various hormones increase to support the growth and development of the fetus. Growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estrogen are known to become elevated during pregnancy. However, the hormone progesterone does not become elevated during pregnancy. Progesterone is primarily produced by the ovaries during the menstrual cycle to prepare the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg. Once pregnancy occurs, the placenta takes over the production of progesterone, and its levels remain high throughout pregnancy to maintain the uterine lining and support the pregnancy.

Explanation

During pregnancy, the levels of various hormones increase to support the growth and development of the fetus. Growth hormone (GH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estrogen are known to become elevated during pregnancy. However, the hormone progesterone does not become elevated during pregnancy. Progesterone is primarily produced by the ovaries during the menstrual cycle to prepare the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg. Once pregnancy occurs, the placenta takes over the production of progesterone, and its levels remain high throughout pregnancy to maintain the uterine lining and support the pregnancy.