2007-01-17 03:05:05 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
It's not an "arguement" it's a simple observation, however you brought some very valid points to the table. Thank you.
2007-01-17 04:19:21 · update #1
Interesting question.
There are different hunting styles among the different pods. They pick the whales that hunt small prey (schools of fish) as opposed to large prey (seals, whales, etc...) for human interaction to minimize the chance of trouble.
2007-01-17 03:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure all will agree with you on the killer whale being the supreme predator of the ocean. Some will argue that the great white or some other shark fits that bill better.
Also, are you basing your gentle with humans question on the animals at Seaworld? I am not sure many people would want to be in the kill zone of a killer whale in the wild. Also, killer whales have killed their trainers at some of the Seaworld type parks. The killer whale is trainable and thus can be used for these sea park type places. However, in the wild it is still a predator that could easily consider a person food.
If your arguement is that attacks on humans in the wild are rare, that may be because there are less humans in the water where you will find orca than where you will find white, bull, or tiger sharks.
2007-01-17 03:15:40 · answer #2 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your "supreme predator" assessment. While the great white shark is considered a great predator, it's really more of an insatiable eating machine. The Orca possesses enough intelligence to work in groups and target specific prey, which makes it the better predator.
It is this ability to recognize prey that keeps humans relatively safe with Orcas. Obviously, the killer whales at Sea World are specially trained, but in the wild, the Orca won't see the boney human as a viable food source except in extreme cases. Sharks on the other hand, well, if it looks like something they can eat, they will take a bite to find out.
2007-01-17 03:29:43 · answer #3 · answered by wheresdean 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because humans are not really good to eat. Seriously.
Sharks, for instance, usually attack humans only when they are mistaken about their nature, thinking they are seals. One bite and they feel there is not enough fat and therefore not the kind of nourishment they are after, and they move on. The same is most likely true for orcas as well, too many bones for the fat content, except that orcas are smart enough (with their sonar) to know about the nature of what a human would taste like without having to put their teeth in it like shark do.
2007-01-17 03:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you crazy? Killer whales kill humans every time they get the chance. They hunt mostly in cold, northern waters, where there are few humans to nibble on, but they will kill them. Orcas are one of the few mammals that will kill for the sheer pleasure of it. In that respect, they are just like humans. We hunt and kill deer, and if you can afford a gun and a license, you don't need to eat deer for food.
2007-01-17 03:26:10 · answer #5 · answered by rickyshyd608 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scientist believe it's because of their intelligence
2007-01-17 03:13:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't eat people.... they eat tiny fishies. They also don't know that men want to kill them for grins.
2007-01-17 03:13:41 · answer #7 · answered by skayrkroh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we don't taste like chicken???????????
2007-01-17 03:13:56 · answer #8 · answered by tallerfella 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋