THE KILLER WHALE
Find out everything you've ever wanted to know about Orcas! Support the ocean and help us to protect these wonderful animals for future generations.
Orcas
Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one
of the world's most powerful predators. They're immediately
recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white coloring. Smart
and social, orcas make a wide variety of communicative sounds, and
each pod has distinctive noises that its members will recognize.
Orca Pods
Blue Orcas
are highly social creatures and at the very heart of this is the
orca mother forming the maternal group or matriline. Beyond this
is a series of extended groups called pods, clans and communities.
A typical matriline consists of an older female or 'matriarch' and
her male and female descendants.
Where to find them?
The San Juan Islands off the coast of northwestern Washington are
known for being one of the best places to see orcas in the wild.
It's about a 90-minute drive from Seattle to Anacortes, then a
short ferry ride across the sound to Friday Harbor, where many
whale-watching outfitters leave on daily excursions.