S c i e n t i f i c c l a s s i f i c a t i o n
ESA Status: Endangered
IUCN: Endangered
MMPA Status: Threatened
IUCN: Endangered
MMPA Status: Threatened
E C O T Y P E S
Two different ecotypes of the Orca whale can be found in Canadian oceans: the Resident Orca Whale,
and the Transient (Bigg's) Orca Whale. These ecotypes are distinct enough to even be classified as separate species
from one another, but they do share one dominant characteristic: they are at the top of the marine food web. The
distinctions between these ecotypes exist in their physical features, habitats, diet, vocalization, interaction, and
pod size (group they travel with).
and the Transient (Bigg's) Orca Whale. These ecotypes are distinct enough to even be classified as separate species
from one another, but they do share one dominant characteristic: they are at the top of the marine food web. The
distinctions between these ecotypes exist in their physical features, habitats, diet, vocalization, interaction, and
pod size (group they travel with).
D i s t i n c t i o n s
r e s i d e n t
The Resident Orca whale is the most commonly sighted ecotype in
Canada, specifically along the coast of British Columbia. The Resident Orca whales have a curved, rounded, and tapering dorsal fin as well as a unique saddle skin patch pattern to separate themselves from the other ecotypes. Their diet primarily consist of salmon, especially Chinook salmon, and they travel in pod sizes of up to 30 members. This ecotype is considered to be endangered and even critically endangered by some wildlife organizations. |
T r a n s i e n t ( B i g g ' s )
The Transient Orca whale are found in Canada's Pacific North Coast. Their
dorsal fins have a straighter tip as opposed to the dorsal fins of Resident Orca whales. Their saddle patch pigmentation is also less varied and its pattern is usually a solid and uniformly gray color. Transient Orca whales truly live up to the reputation and nickname given to Orca whales: the Killer whale. Their diet consist of almost exclusively marine animals, including marine animals feared by even humans; the Great white shark. They are able to take down almost any marine animal due to the social units they travel in. Transient Orca whales usually travel in groups of 10 or less, which is smaller than the pods Resident Orca Whales travel in. |