Hobbies And Interests
Environment
Though they can survive in warm or colder waters, killer whales prefer the latter. More of this species can be found in colder areas than in tropical and subtropical waters, according to the National Geographic. Killer whales prefer coastal areas but have been spotted swimming in freshwater rivers; the SeaWorld website reports a killer whale was once found in the Columbia River.
Distribution
Killer whales have been found in cold water environments, such as those off the coast of Alaska, within the Arctic Circle and near to Antarctica. Areas with warmer waters where killer whales have been spotted include the Bahamas, the Galapagos Islands and off the coast of Australia. Killer whales appear in areas such as the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans, where they̵7;re often spotted around the Bering Sea and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Killer whales also have a regular presence in the South Pacific and Atlantic oceans, near countries such as Patagonia and New Zealand.
Numbers
Scientists have difficulty calculating exact numbers of killer whales spread throughout the world because the aquatic environment and whale distribution prevent precision. However, scientists, such as those working for the National Marine Fisheries Service, have published estimates about killer whale populations. For example, the number of resident killer whales in the Eastern North Pacific offshore area was estimated at 240 in 2011, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Antarctic Habitat Groups
Killer whales of the Antarctic are a special case among whale populations because the type of habitat whales are found in differs. Antarctic killer whales are sorted into three groups. The first inhabit the ice-free water found off shore, while the second group live in-shore close to the pack ice around the Antarctic Peninsula. The final group also inhabit in-shore waters as well as the pack ice.