08/19/2026
Dennis Moore, DVM presented at the Rotary Monday meeting about Killer Whales or more correctly Whale Killers as they were originally called. After humans, Orcas are the most widely distributed mammals on earth, living in all ocean waters. There are a half dozen subspecies each speaking a language only understood by their fellows in their own group.
Females average 8,000 to 12,000 pounds and 12 to 18 feet in length. Males run to well over 20,000 pounds and 20-25 feet making them the largest of the dolphins (not a whale). Interesting facts: Orcas go through menopause and they never sleep. One eye is always open and one side of the brain always running while the other eye is closed and the other side of the brain sleeps. Also, they have an IQ similar to that of a 16 year-old human.