• Video
  • Map
  • Words

Meet the largest dolphin in the sea

Learn about the largest dolphin in the world - the orca! Tūtaki mai ki te maki. Akohia ngā āhuatanga mō te aihe nui rawa o te ao! Click the [CC] icon in the video player to view Te Reo subtitles.
01:41 499 Likes 20748 Views
Autoplay on
Like
Favourite

Meet the largest dolphin in the sea

Play again

Links


Activities

Killer whale

 

Killer whale is another name for Orca. Orca, or maki and kākahi in Māori, are large black and white 'toothed whales' which are actually the largest member of the dolphin family.

Orca

 

Orca, or maki and kākahi in Māori, are also known as ‘killer whale.' They are a large black and white 'toothed whales' that are actually the largest member of the dolphin family. Orca are apex predators, which means no other animal in the sea hunts and eats them. They have a large dorsal (back) fin and live in groups that hunt seals, fish, and penguin together. They can be found all over the world, including in New Zealand waters.

Dorsal fin

 

The fin on the back of a fish or whale. For example, the triangular fin on the back of a shark or dolphin, or the fins that stick up on the back of a fish. A fish can have up to three dorsal fins. The dorsal fin helps the animal with sudden turns and stops, and prevents them from rolling.

Science

 

Knowledge about the natural world based on experiments and observation. Science is when we study the natural world looking for general laws (rules) about how the world works.

Pod

 

A pod, or kauika in Māori, is a small group or school of marine animals, such as whales or dolphins.

Bay

 

A body of water that is partly surrounded by land. Water in a bay is generally calmer than water further out to sea which is not protected by land.

Harbour

 

A place on the coast where ships can safely anchor because it is protected from rough water, wind, and sea currents.

Unique

 

One of a kind. There is no other like it.

Click for more words!
Learn to Draw
Interviews with Experts
Hauraki Gulf
YOE adventures
Riley can't find the ocean here!
Sea of Hope
SeaLegacy's Sea of Hope episode
Meet the largest dolphin in the sea
How long do Māui dolphins live for?
Where do creatures poo in the ocean?
Meet the loggerhead turtle
What is an apex predator?
Whose skull am I holding?
If a ray stops swimming will it ...
What sea animal eats like a cow?
What is a marine pest
Which ocean job suits you best?
Does this important job surprise you?
Do you have the mana of an orca?
What's so special about turtle shells?
What do pipis and cockles do?
Disappearing sea life?
How many eggs does this huge fish lay?
National Geographic legends
Rochelle Constantine answers our questions
How can blind dolphins catch fish?
Does this important job surprise you?
How do rays breathe underwater?
Riley's amazing ray adventure
What does endemic mean?
Whales can’t tell the difference between ...?
Hope Stories - 1+A Day
What is a marine pest?
Chicks in the Hauraki Gulf?
Oceans full of plastic
Where do whales and dolphins hang out?
Learn to Draw - Sperm Whale
Which ray is the best swimmer?
How do we stop spreading marine pests
Can you find the triplefin all over NZ?
Crab Dad jokes
Learn to draw - Crayfish
Riley finds where the baby fish live
What is it like to save an orca?
An apex predator is ...
How 2 Hongi
How deep can fur seals dive?
Sharks - super fast swimmers
What are zooplankton?
Why did Kevin Iro set up a marine park?
Tricks to hold your breath longer
Who can set up a marine park?
Who are the acrobats of the sea?
Why is biosecurity important?
Has it been too long?