Species of Killer Whales

Resident Orcas

• Of the three Northern Pacific species, resident orcas are the most commonly seen. Residents mainly consume fish and sometimes squid. They live in complex and organized family groups called pods. Female residents have rounded dorsal fins. The gray or white area around the dorsal fin known as saddle patch contains some black coloring. Residents are amazingly vocal with complex sound patterns to identify between pods. They visit the same areas regularly.

Transient Orcas

• Transient orcas travel in small groups, generally two to six, at a time. They have less persistent bonds compared to residents. Their prey consists of almost everything except marine mammals; they do not eat anything like seals, sea lions, dolphins and sea lions. They vocalize less variable and less complex dialects than residents. Female transients have a straight and pointed dorsal fin. Saddle patches are solid and uniformly gray. Transients roam widely along the coast.

Offshore Orcas

• Offshore orcas, as the name indicates, travel far from shore. They are physically smaller than residents and transients. Their diet includes mammals and sharks. Females are characterized by rounded dorsal fin tips. They exist in groups of dozens of animals. Their vocal patterns are completely different from residents and transients.

Type A, B and C

• Antarctic waters consists of three different species of killer whales named Type A, B and C. Type A is a typical killer whale with large, black and white form lives in open water and feeds on minke whales. Type B is smaller than type A and feeds mainly on seals. They are also known as pack ice killer whales. Type C or Ross Sea killer whale is the smallest type and lives in larger groups. It mainly eats Antarctic cod.