Killer Whales vs. Humpback Whales: Size Matters
Humpback Whale
Humpback whales are baleen whales known for their elaborate courtship songs and displays. They usually range from 12 to 16 meters in length, weighing up to about 40 tons and can reach up to 60 feet in length. Their flukes can be up to 18 feet in width.
Humpback whales are found in every ocean in the world. Their Latin name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means "big wing of New England."
Orca
Orcas, also known as killer whales, are a type of dolphin and are the largest species in the family. While orcas, or Orcinus orca, are indeed formidable in size with lengths of up to 31 feet (9.4 meters), they are dwarfed by humpback whales.
Orcas are lesser predators that hunt in pods and are sometimes referred to as "wolves of the sea." They are found in all of the world's oceans, but they are most common in the North Pacific and North Atlantic.
Humpback whales are larger and are filter feeders, meaning they eat krill and other small organisms. They are found in all of the world's oceans, but they are most common in the North Pacific and North Atlantic.
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