Tooth and Claw: Killer Whales

牙齿与爪子:杀人鲸

Discovery

2025-07-08

26 分钟
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Investigating the black-and-white apex predator of the sea – the killer whale! Able to predate even great white sharks, this marine mammal is the largest member of the dolphin family. From tropical seas, to the Arctic and Antarctic, killer whales (or orcas) are found across the world. Living in family groups and often led by a post-menopausal matriarch, killer whales have passed on their hunting methods, which vary depending on which prey they specialise in hunting, through the generations. Presenter Adam Hart finds out about the killer whales incredible social behaviours (such as wearing salmon as hats) and hears how a dog is helping killer whale researchers access a gold mine of information about this predator. He also hears what challenges killer whale populations are facing and why killer whales may be attacking boats off the coast of the Iberian peninsula. Contributors: Dr. Leigh Hickmott, whale biologist and conservationist, who is an expert on Pack Ice killer whales, and whose research uses them as indicators to assess human disturbance of marine habitats. Dr. Deborah Giles, who is an expert on Southern Resident killer whales, based with the SeaDoc Society, a program of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Presenter: Professor Adam Hart Producer: Jonathan Blackwell (Photo: Killer Whales, Credit: Serge MELESAN via Getty Images)
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  • This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  • It had never been done before.

  • It'll launch like a rocket and land like an airplane.

  • And we got people on it.

  • Roger. 13 Minutes presents The Space Shuttle.

  • Coming soon.

  • You're listening to Discovery from the BBC World Service.

  • I'm Adam Hart and this is Tooth & Claw,

  • the series where I explore our complex and challenging relationships with Earth's greatest predators,

  • through the people who have spent their lives studying,

  • protecting and at times narrowly escaping them.

  • Today's predator is the undisputed apex predator of the sea.

  • With its distinctive black and white colouration,

  • this marine mammal is the largest member of the dolphin family.

  • Able to predate even great white sharks, as we heard in a previous series,

  • these skilled hunters are found in waters all over the world.

  • It's time to learn about the killer whale, also known as the orca.

  • Let's dive in with Dr Lee Hickmott, whale biologist and conservationist,

  • who's an expert on pack ice killer whales,

  • and whose research uses them as indicators to assess human disturbance of marine habitats.