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Orcas also prey on larger species such as sperm whales, grey whales, humpback whales and minke whales. [ 83 ] [ 39 ] On three separate occasions in 2019 orcas were recorded to have killed blue whales off the south coast of Western Australia, including an estimated 18–22-meter (59–72 ft) individual. [ 88 ]
The habitat of the Northern residents overlaps with the Southern residents; however, the two types of orcas have never been observed together. Members of A clan have been the most commonly sighted whales off northeastern Vancouver Island, whereas G clan is most commonly sighted off the west coast of Vancouver Island, and members of R clan are ...
The research vessel Noctiluca of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in close proximity to an orca. The southern resident orcas, also known as the southern resident killer whales (SRKW), are the smallest of four communities of the exclusively fish-eating ecotype of orca in the northeast Pacific Ocean.
Many whale watching organizations throughout the region target the orcas, including resident and transient groups, and often work with nonprofit organizations like the Center for Whale Research and The Whale Museum to promote orca conservation. Native American tribes and First Nations throughout the area hold the whales in high regard.
Orcas or killer whales have a cosmopolitan distribution and several distinct populations or types have been documented or suggested. Three to five types of orcas may be distinct enough to be considered different races , [ 1 ] subspecies , or possibly even species [ 2 ] (see Species problem ).
Cryptolepas is abundant on the gray whale, but has been recorded on the orca, the beluga whale, and in the stomach of the topsmelt silverside (Atherinops affinis). [26] Topsmelt are known to pick off the dead skin and whale lice often found in association with barnacles. [25] Tubicinella major has been recorded only on the southern right whale ...
Whales have been hunted for meat in Japan since before 800 AD. After World War II, due to damage to Japan's infrastructure, whale meat became an important source of proteins. [22] [23] [24] In modern-day Japan, two cuts of whale meat are usually created: the belly meat and the tail meat. In the early 19th century, 70 different cuts were known. [22]
Another reason is their tendencies to eat other whales and large prey animals such as seals and sea lions. [25] Orcas in Alaska are notable for their size; the adult female orca can reach the length of twenty-three feet (7.0 m) whilst the adult male orca can reach up to twenty-seven feet (8.2 m). [26]