Echolocation

Orcas have the ability to use echolocation kind oflike bats do. Orcas send out high pitched clicking sounds and whenthese sounds hit an object it echos back. The echolocation sense isable to determine the distance, size, speed, shape, and direction ofan object from the echo. The sound being sent and the echo comingback happens very fast. It is believed that an orca's clicks can beheard by other orcas up to five miles away.

Orcas also whistle and scream. Different pods havetheir own set of sounds. These sounds travel fast through the water.

Melon

an orcas melon is a rounded area of fat in theirhead. Orcas use this area to send out their echolocation clicks. Thefat helps to form the clicks into a sound beam. When the echolocationechos come back the orca senses them through their lower jaw.

Larynx

A orca does not have vocal cords in their larynx.It is believed that the sounds they make are made by air moving inair sacs by the blowhole. The sounds orcas make are calledcalls.

The blow hole

A orcas blow hole is located on top of its head.They use their blow hole to breath air.

Muscular flap

This is a flap of muscle which keeps water fromgetting into the blow hole when the orca is underwater.