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The killer whale as it arches above the waters service while in pursuit of a bottlenose dolphin in The Seas of Cortes, Mexico in August 2023. Orcas are the largest extant members of the dolphin family. Males typically range from six to eight metres (20 to 26 ft) long and weigh in excess of six tonnes. Orcas are apex predators and have a diverse diet. Individual populations often specialise in particular types of prey. This includes a variety of fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals such as seals, other species of dolphin, and whales. They are highly social; some populations are composed of highly stable matrilineal family groups (pods). Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviours, which are often specific to a particular group and passed across generations, have been described as manifestations of animal culture. (Photo by Christopher Swann/Media Drum Images)
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