Killer whales orcas are the most cosmopolitan of all marine mammals, meaning they are found in every ocean around the world. There are certain areas where they tend to congregate, mostly in cold water. The North Pacific is home to some of the largest concentrations, with killer whale populations found regularly from California to Alaska. While the inland waters around the San Juan Islands in Washington State and southwestern British Columbia are probably the best known places in the world to see killer whales in the wild, Antarctica is where they are most abundant.
There are an estimated 25,, killer whales in the waters around Antarctica, making them the third most abundant cetacean in that area, and the highest concentration on the planet. Similar to the ecotypes we have in the North Pacific Ocean, known and distinct groups of killer whales are also found in the North Atlantic around Iceland, Norway and Scotland.
In the Argentinian waters of Peninsula Valdez, another population of killer whales is well known for teaching their offspring to partially beach themselves when hunting young Elephant seals. Along the shores of the Crozet Islands, south of Madagascar, a distinct population has been observed waiting just off shore at the river mouth, ready to prey on young sea lions learning to swim. Known populations of killer whales are also found around New Zealand, where they eat a variety of prey.
They are the only known group to regularly eat Stingrays, Eagle rays and Electric rays. When the Southern Residents were listed as endangered in Canada in and in the United States in , recovery plans were drafted to address the issues currently affecting their survival. These recovery plans listed four main threats to the survival of this species:. Sound and disturbance from vessel traffic and shipping. Potential oil spills. It is a vital food source for a diversity of wildlife, including Resident killer whales, bears, seals and large birds of prey.
Alaskan stocks are relatively healthy, while those in British Columbia and along the west coast of the United States are in danger. Protection and enhancement of Chinook salmon is crucial in re-establishing healthy Pacific Northwest ecosystems and providing a nutrient-rich food source for Resident killer whales for years to come. Unlike humans, killer whales are voluntary breathers, meaning they have to consciously remember to breathe.
Studies of dolphins and Beluga whales, which are physiologically similar to killer whales, show that they sleep by shutting down one hemisphere of their brain at a time. This allows them to rest while still maintaining their voluntary breathing.
It is thought that killer whales "sleep" in a similar function. In the field, we often observe resting behavior. The whales will come together in a tight group, abreast, and move very slowly forward spending long periods at the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions. Here are our top 3 frequently asked. Learn how you can HELP ». The first thing you can do is to become a Member of the Center for Whale Research.
Or you can make a donation. Does CWR offer internships or volunteer opportunities? Where do the Southern Resident Killer Whales go in the winter? Where on the planet are killer whales found? When killer whales jump into the air from the water, called breaching, they expose their undersides to view, thereby presenting one way for observers to distinguish males from females.
Down towards the tail flukes, between the navel and the anus, a female orca has a white, oval-shaped genital patch with three black spots. The largest one, in the middle, is her vagina, and the two on either side of it are the mammary slits containing the nipples she uses for nursing her calves, which are retracted into her body when not in use. The genital area of the male orca is in the same region of his body but more elongated, with a single black slit covering his penis.
Male orcas are much larger and heavier than females, growing as long as 32 feet and weighing 11 tons, while females grow up to 28 feet in length but tip the scales at 7 tons. The size of the dorsal fin is also a strong indication of gender. Adult males, called bulls, have dorsal fins about 6 feet high and triangular in shape, but the dorsal fins of females are only half as tall and more sickle-shaped than triangular.
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NOAA Fisheries. Whale and dolphin conservation. Identifying Humpback whales. Author Link. Share this: Click to share on Twitter Opens in new window Click to share on Facebook Opens in new window Click to email this to a friend Opens in new window. Like this: Like Loading Leave a Reply Cancel reply.
How do you Identify Humpback Whales? How do you identify a North Atlantic Right Whale? Loading Comments Question 3 — Male or female? Answers: The genders of the Pacific White-Sided Dolphins in the last three images are: 1 is male 2 is male 3 is female. Twenty Years. Question, what is the Carina for? And due to the clarity of info I got all the questions right…. You are commenting using your WordPress.
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