Why shamus fin bent

Size and body condition of southern resident killer whales. Ford, J. Houghton, J. Dorsal fin cross section , photograph from research blog. Jett, J. Unpublished report, 22 pp. Matkin, C. Marine Ecology Progress Series Ventre, J. Killer whales, theme parks and controversy: An exploration of the evidence. Markewell ed. Visser, I.

Prolific body scars and collapsing dorsal fins on killer whales in New Zealand waters. Aquatic Mammals There is speculation of a genetic component, expressed generally by field biologists to explain the cases of dorsal fin bending and collapse in the wild.

But there is no evidence to support or refute a genetic influence. Ingrid N. Visser, Orca Research Trust. Figure 4. An adult male orca in the New Zealand catalogue who shows loss of structural integrity. She was estimated by some whale researchers to have been years old, but her age is a source of dispute, with other studies putting her at age If she was , she would have been the oldest known orca at the time of her death.

There are currently no laws prohibiting the housing of orca whales in captivity; rather laws that specifically allow for the capture of wild orcas for purposes of entertainment and scientific research. The MMPA requires a permit for the taking of a marine mammal, like an orca, from the wild. Skip to content Lifehacks. One group developed curved fins after a month in captivity.

But once the group was released back to the wild the fins reverted to normal. While temperature is a leading theory, some experts think speed could also be a factor. In the wild, killer whales swim on average 3 to 4 mph and can sprin t at speeds up to 34 mph. At those speeds, water creates a considerable force against the fin, which could keep the fin strong and upright. Captive whales don't have enough space to reach these speeds. Ultimately, the curved dorsal fin is still a mystery. Curved, or not, the orca's giant fin is a beacon to all, this apex predator is a force to reckon with.

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