Sleep, Spa Day, and Dorsal

Just about caught up with my Orcanomics! Let's get into some orca facts because they're pretty cool! :>

Sleep - Did you know that orca don't sleep? Not fully, at least! They are voluntary breathers so one half of the brain has to stay alert so it can remember to breath. It's called Unihemespheric Sleep which a few animals can do, such as other dolphins, porpoises, seals even chickens! (there's even one eye open on the side of the brain that's awake) Killer whales swim close together when some members are "sleeping". It's especially rough for new moms, as the pod is constantly on the move, and the baby needs to keep close to their momma for food and protection called an echelon formation. The baby gets towed along in her slipstream but since they need a constant eye, a mom orca has to go without sleep for nearly a month OUGH!

Spa Day - There is a unique behavior for some pods called Beach Rubbing where killer whales go to shallow waters and rub their bodies against the smooth rocks. The brown/yellow B-type orcas do something similar after a time, when they travel to an area in order to rub off the algae that gives them that distinct color! This can last several hours or even a few days, and then the families travel off together after their little spa trip :>

Dorsal - Researchers/scientists use dorsal fins as a way to identify individual killer whales. There's other markings too such as the eye patches, saddle patches, and tails! But the most obvious distinction is often the dorsal fin. Males have a towering fin that usually "sprouts" in their teenage years, and females have a smaller curved dorsal, but they can go through various changes throughout their lives. It takes a while to memorize individuals since each one is unique; from dorsal shapes, nics and scars, teeth rakes, pigmentation of saddle patches. It's important that researches take photos annually since babies change as they grow older and same with adults who might gain marks and/or new injuries.

Thanks for checking these out and hearing me go on about orca facts. We got one more week to go!