Page "Killer whale" Paragraph 27

A typical killer whale distinctively bears a black back, white chest and sides, and a white patch above and behind the eye.

Calves are born with a yellowish or orange tint, which fades to white.

It has a heavy and robust body with a large dorsal fin up to tall.

Behind the fin, it has a dark grey " saddle patch " across the back.

Antarctic killer whales may have pale grey to nearly white backs.

Adult killer whales are very distinctive and are not usually confused with any other sea creature.

When seen from a distance, juveniles can be confused with other cetacean species, such as the false killer whale or Risso's dolphin.

The killer whale's teeth are very strong and covered in enamel.

Its jaws are a powerful gripping apparatus, as the upper teeth fall into the gaps between the lower teeth when the mouth is closed.

The front teeth are inclined slightly forward and outward, thus allowing the killer whale to withstand powerful jerking movements from its prey while the middle and back teeth hold it firmly in place.