Killer Whales Essays (1605 words) - Biota, Megafauna, Apex Predators

Killer Whales Whales are giant creatures that live in the sea. They look like fish, but are not. Whales belong to the group of animals called mammals. Whales belong to the group of mammals called cetaceans, which comes from a Latin word meaning large sea animal. There are two major groups of whales. The first group is mysticeti (baleen whales), and the other isodontoceti (toothed whales). In the group odontoceti, there is a family of whales called delphinidae (dolphins and small toothed whales). In this report, I will focus on a species of whale that comes from this family, and that species is the killer whale, or also known as orcinus orca, or just orca. The largest and most striking of the dolphin family, the killer whale is one of the most fearsome predators of the deep. Killer whales are basically the same shape as fish, but they differ in many ways. One of the most obvious differences is the tail fin. Fish have vertical tail fins, while whales have horizontal tail fins. One of the most distinctive features of orcas is the tall, wide dorsal fin located on its back. In females, the dorsal fin can grow to about 2 feet high. It is falcate (hooked or curved). In males, the dorsal fin is triangular in shape and can grow up to about 6 feet high. Another distinctive feature of killer whales is that they possess a sleek, black and white pigmentation pattern. A white patch is located above and behind the eye. An extensive white ventral patch extends onto the flanks (sides). "There is a gray saddle behind the dorsal fin, which is black at birth." (Hoyt, Pg. 32) At birth, orcas are about 2.1 to 2.4 meters long and weigh about 180 kilograms. When they are adults, males grow to about 9.5 meters long weighing 8 tons or more. Females grow to 8.2 meters long and weigh 4-6 tons. "Orcas have robust and graceful bodies with a conical or rounded head." (Hoyt, Pg. 97) It has no distinct beak. They have straight mouthlines. Another physical attribute of killer whales, besides having a tall dorsal fin, is that killer whales have large, paddle-shaped flippers. These flippers are 2-3 times larger in males than they are in females. Killer whales are very large physical specimens. Being known as a fearsome hunter with killer instinct, it would be interesting to know what a killer whale's diet consists of. The orca resembles the great white shark in its predatory skill and range of food. They eat seabirds, turtles, fishes, including sharks, whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. These hunters feed in groups of two to twenty animals. They can even kill baleen whales much larger then themselves. They have 10 to 13 teeth on each side of each jaw, which helps in their feeding. Though killer whales sometimes attack dolphins, seals, and other whales larger than themselves, but they have not been known to attack people, although there have been documented cases of killer whale attacks. Throughout the ages, whales have lost some of the characteristics of mammals. Mammals have hair covering their bodies. Whales have only a few stiff hairs on their heads. Mammals have four legs. A whale has no hind legs. The only traces that they remain are two tiny hipbones. The front legs have developed into flippers, which are used for steering or keeping its balance. Although killer whales share the same characteristics as mammals, they also have special features that allow them to live in the water. Whales have many special characteristics suited for living in the water. Living in water enables them to reach enormous sizes. "The buoyancy (lift) of water helps support a whale's body, which makes it possible for them to grow larger." (Ellis & Knoph, Pg.18) Orcas have a highly streamlined shape. This enables them to swim with a minimum of resistance. The powerful tail fins called flukes are horizontal. Whales swim by moving the flukes up and down. Another characteristic that is helpful to killer whales, or any type of whale, is that a whale's backbone, ribcage, and shoulder blades resemble those of other mammals. Almost all mammals have seven neck vertebrae. In killer whales, these vertebrae are compressed into a short length or joined together into one bone. This keeps the head from moving about. It also joins the head directly to the body. Orcas have smooth, rubbery skin that easily slips through the water. Mammals have hair to keep them warm. Whales have only a few

From Fashion Producer to Fashion Retailer

From Fashion Producer to Fashion Retailer For both the retailers and manufacturers, the goal of fashion merchandising and marketing is to ensure that the merchandise is sold at a profit (Steele 295). To achieve this, one needs careful coordination and execution of the business strategies. The success of the fashion business hinges on fashion merchandising and fashion marketing. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on From Fashion Producer to Fashion Retailer specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Owing to the advances in information technology, customers all over the world have become more knowledgeable and inquisitive, due to information on the fashion industry that is readily available on the internet. It is thus important for those involved in fashion retailing to ensure that the needs and wants of their target customers have been met. In an effort to overcome this challenge, fashion manufacturers are now producing specific fashion merchandise to suit the needs of sp ecific customers (Kotler and Armstrong 81). Since fashion retailers are constantly in contact with the final customers, they are more likely to know the needs and wants of their target market. This is important in a highly competitive business environment. If fashion manufactures are not updated with the needs and wants of the end-consumer, they may lose their share of the market. In order to safeguard their market share, some fashion producers may contemplate shifting from the manufacture of fashion merchandises to retailing fashion merchandise. The research paper endeavors to examine the advantages and disadvantages associated with such a move. For a long time, fashion producers have primarily concentrated in the production of their merchandise in an easy and economical manner. A lot of money and time would be spent on consumers in an attempt to convince them that their merchandise suits the needs and wants of the consumers. However, as packaged foods, automobiles and healthy pr oducts recorded successful growth through marketing, fashion businesses also adopted this concept (Steele 296). When fashion producers switches to fashion retailers they are in close contact with their clients and as a result, this enhances the relationship that they share with their clients. This is a positive sign for good business. Principles of marketing therefore become vital for the business. Owing to the constant contact with the end-consumers, they are also likely to know the needs and wants of the customers. Consequently, they have to ensure that they provide merchandise that has been customized to suit the requirements of the market.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Fashion producers are also likely to have an enhanced access to the market. They are therefore better placed to study the retail market well, thereby improving their competitiveness. Retail fashioni ng also enables one to provide branded merchandise to the market. Customers would be willing to offer premium prices for such merchandise, and this incenses the profit earnings of a fashion retailer. There is also the issue of consumer loyalty, because they are able to get what they want. Consequently, the fashion retailer is more likely to have repeat business with such customers (Steele 297). Brand orientation brings with it the dimensions of functionality, distinctiveness, symbolism, and value addition (Bridson Evans 404). As such, when a fashion retailer become more brand- oriented, he/she is likely of offer customers a greater retail offer, relative to the competition. Fashion retailers should therefore endeavor to differentiate their merchandise in such a manner as to afford them a competitive advantage in the market. On the other hand, there are also a number of disadvantages that accompanies the decision by a fashion producer to also become a fashion retailer. To start wi th, there is a shift from the core activity, in this case the production of the fashion merchandise, to retailing. A firm is more likely to success when it concentrates on its core activity, as opposed to undertaking various activities. When a firm is only concerned with its core activity, it is more likely to invest more in research and development in an attempt to ensure that its merchandises meet the needs of the consumers (McColl and Moore 97). Another disadvantage of such a move would be the added cost of advertising and undertaking numerous market surveys and research, in an effort to capture the needs and wants of the customer so that the merchandise can be produced to suit these needs. The fashion retailer now has to project sales with regard to the unit of merchandise that they want to sell. In the case of a fashion producer, he/she is required to anticipate the retailers’ needs. In the same way, we may also expect that the fashion retailer shall also have to envis ion the needs of his/her consumers (Stone 59). Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on From Fashion Producer to Fashion Retailer specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, we need to realize that the number of consumers of fashion merchandise by far outstrips the number of fashion retailers. Accordingly, this means that a fashion retailer shall have to sue more financial and human resources in an attempt to ensure that they deliver the needs of the market. There are various reasons why a fashion producer may decide to become a fashion retailer. They include the need for brad recognition, gaining a competitive advantage, and increased consumer loyalty, among others. Fashion retailing affords one constant interaction with the end-consumers, thereby enhancing the consumer-retailer relationship. However, even as a fashion retailer contemplates on becoming a fashion retailer, he/she should also be careful to ensure that they re tain the quality of their merchandise. In addition, fashion retailing may mean that one now has to deal with a specific brand. Many fashion brands are a fad that loses popularity with time. Therefore, Fashion producers should therefore not abandon the core activity of manufacturing because they may need to fall back on it. Bridson, Kerrie, and Evans, Jody. The secret of fashion advantage in brand orientation. International Journal of retail Distribution Management, 32.8(2004): 403-411 Kotler, Philip, and Gary Armstrong. Principles of Marketing. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2001. Print.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More McColl, Julie, and Moore, Christopher. An exploration of fashion retailer own brand strategies. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 15.1(2011): 91-107 Steele, Valerie. The Berg Companion to Fashion. Oxford: Berg Publishers, 2010. Print. Stone, Elaine. The Dynamics of Fashion. New York: Fairchild Publications, 2004. Print.