Orca anatomy

Orca Anatomy Orcas are BIG! They are over 20ft. long -- the largest species of dolphin. Photo Credit: Eva Krocher

Orca Anatomy Orcas’ formidable teeth and powerful jaws make them a ferocious predator. Photo Credit: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Orca Anatomy Orcas have the ability to focus sound waves in their head and sense the returning sound waves through their lower jaw to “see” what’s around them. Photo Credit: Kelly Balomb-Bartok, Center for Whale Research

Orca Anatomy Orcas have counter-shaded coloration, meaning that they appear white from below to blend in with the sunlight coming down from above, and vice versa. Photo Credit: Kelly Balomb-Bartok, Center for Whale Research

Interview with Anna Goldman, Mammals Preparator Q: How do dolphins stay warm? A: Dolphins have a thick layer of fat underneath their skin called blubber. This helps them stay warm. They also have reduced limb size, which reduces loss of body heat.

Interview with Anna Goldman, Mammals Preparator Q: What’s special about dolphin teeth? A: Dolphins have sharp interlocking teeth that allow them to eat a variety of fish, squids and crustaceans.

Interview with Anna Goldman, Mammals Preparator Q: What’s one cool fact about orcas? A: Orcas have very high metabolisms, which help keep them warm in cold Arctic waters. This means they need to be in constant search of food.

Bottlenose Dolphin anatomy Photo Credit: Faraj Meir

Bottlenose Anatomy Dolphins are the acrobats of the sea. Their streamlined bodies allow them to exceed 20 miles per hour an to engage in complex gymnastic feats. Photo Credit: Allen McCloud

Bottlenose Anatomy Dolphins have an extraordinary ability to survive wounds and injuries of the magnitude that would kill a human. They are able to cut off blood flow to parts of their body in order to stem blood loss, and they have a strong resistance to infection. Photo Credit: Allen McCloud

Bottlenose Anatomy Dolphins sleep very differently than you do. While half of their brain rests, the other stays awake, watching for predators or other threats. Photo Credit: Kristen Ellsby

Interview with Anna Goldman, Mammals Preparator Q: How do dolphins stay warm? A: Dolphins have a thick layer of fat underneath their skin called blubber. This helps them stay warm. They also have reduced limb size, which reduces loss of body heat.

Interview with Anna Goldman, Mammals Preparator Q: What’s special about dolphin teeth? A: Dolphins have sharp interlocking teeth that allow them to eat a variety of fish, squids and crustaceans.

Interview with Anna Goldman, Mammals Preparator Q: What’s one cool fact about bottlenose dolphins? A:In their long “bottle” nose, bottlenose dolphin actually have the same types of bones that you have between your nose and your lips -- just telescoped out!