But we do know quite a bit about how these giant creatures get their sleep! Killer whales are voluntary breathers.


When the whales are travelling fast they will breathe more often and at shorter intervals. Killer whales (Orcinus orca) can only breathe voluntarily, which means they will drown if they fall completely asleep in the same way as people. Orca (Orcinus orca) commonly known as Killer Whale Species Code: OROR Description: The orca (killer whale) is a toothed whale and is the largest member of the Dolphin family.

They breathe through “nostrils” on top of their heads called blowholes. When orcas are resting, they take 3 or 4 breaths at short intervals followed by a longer interval of about 3 minutes.

Wiki User 2012-06-26 00:34:11. How do orca whales breathe air? Top Answer. Unlike humans, who breathe without thinking about it, killer whales must consciously remember to breathe—even in their sleep! The science of orca sleep is quite complicated and is always being studied.

These large marine mammals are easily distinguished by their black-and-white coloration, large dorsal fin and a sleek, streamlined body.

In this way, breathing and eating are kept entirely separate in dolphins so that they can capture prey in their mouths and swallow it without the risk water getting into their lungs. They breathe through their blow holes. Toothed whales, such as the beluga and dolphins, have one blowhole.
How do orcas breathe?

2018-02-28 11:27:27 2018-02-28 11:27:27. Dolphins do not breathe through their mouths in the same way as people can, they only breathe through their blowholes. Related Questions.

Wiki User. Orcas breathe usually in about 20 second intervals, in succession, 3 or 4 times, and then remain submerged for a longer period of time.

They breathe air from the ocean.

Asked in Orcas (killer whales) Are killer whales fishes? This escaping air turns into misty water droplets, just like your breath on a cold day, and forms a tall spray called a blow. When a whale surfaces to fill its lungs with fresh air, warm air escapes from its blowhole. Killer whales are also called "orcas" and belong to a family called cetaceans, which includes animals such as dolphins and Beluga whales.