The students shared the legend they had learned in class throughout the day. The daylong trip combined culture, biology, geography and American Indian language and showed the students why the familiar sketch of the orca whale seen throughout the Tulalip Reservation west of Marysville became the symbol for the tribes. This trip is a good way to help understand our culture and different cultures, and it's a great learning experience. All Indians have lessons and this is a real important lesson. The common name is killer whale and the scientific name is Orcinus orca.
Orca whales have white bodies with dark dorsal, upper body, fins.
Orcas and other whales, including dolphins and porpoises, are warm-blooded mammals that bear live young. Adult male orcas grow up to about 30 feet and females grow up to 23 feet. Adult males can live between 50 and 60 years and females live between 80 and 90 years. Orcas can travel about 28 mph for short bursts but their typical travel speed is between 4 and 5 mph. Orca whales are meat-eaters but typically aren't interested in eating humans.