Whales & Wild Life

Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

Orcinus orcas, better known as killer whales, are the largest member of the dolphin family. With striking black and white markings and tall dorsal fin the killer whale is unmistakable. Next to humans, killer whales are the most widespread mammal as they inhabit all of the world's oceans. With over 300 resident Killer Whales, British Columbia has become synonymous as the best location for viewing these magnificent mammals in the world.

There are 3 known species of Orcas; residents, transients and offshores. The most commonly observed group in British Columbia is the resident whale population which is broken into two distinct communities, the northern residents and the southern residents. The southern residents are the main focus of our tours. Numbering around 100, each whale belongs to one of three pods; J, K or L. Resident Killer Whales feed primarily on salmon.

We also have a number of transient Orcas that frequent the area. Transient Killer Whales feed on marine mammals and normally travel in small groups.

Whether they are traveling, resting, hunting, or socializing, killer whales are one of the most exciting whales to watch.

Please also view www.orcaspirit.com/education for more detail information on Orcas.

In addition to the Orcas, there are a number of other animals which may be seen on our tours. These include Humpback Whales, Gray Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, Harbor and Elephant Seals, Sea lions, Eagles, sea birds and much more.

Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)

• found only in the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic population is extinct
• migrate from Baja, Mexico to Alaska each spring to feed and then back to Mexico in the fall to breed
• some will stop off in B.C. for the summer rather than travelling all the way to Alaska
• removed in 1994 from the US Endangered Species List with a population of about 20,000
• do not have a dorsal fin but rather a series of dorsal "knuckles"
• baleen is cream coloured
• adults reach a maximum length of 40 ft (14 m)
• adults may weigh 35 tonnes
• newborn calves are about 15 ft (5 m) long

Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

• pronounced "minky"
• found in all the oceans of the world
• the whale that is being hunted by the whaling nations today
• smallest of the baleen whales - maximum length of 30 ft (9.5 m)
• weigh up to 10 tonnes
• baleen is creamy white in colour
• throat is pleated to allow it to expand when feeding (50-70 ventral grooves)
• feed on small schooling fish, most commonly on herring
• may feed in association with seabirds
• about 40 photo identified in the San Juan Islands that appear to return each summer
• generally found alone in this area, if there are a couple together it seems to be because they are taking advantage of the same food
• known for their "bad breath" - you can sometimes smell them before you see them

Dall's Porpoise (Phocenoides dalli)

• found only in the North Pacific Ocean
• most commonly seen porpoise in the Victoria area
• very playful and will often "surf" in the wake of vessels
• adults generally 5-6 ft (2 m) long
• calves about 3 ft (90 cm) long at birth
• feed on small schooling fish and squid
• black and white colour causes them to be commonly mistaken as baby killer whales

Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

• found in coastal water throughout the northern hemisphere
• generally seen in water less than 100m deep
• very susceptible to coastal pollutants and entanglement in fishing gear
• anecdotal information indicates that there has been a drastic decrease in abundance in this area over the last 50 years
• very shy animals of boat traffic and less social than Dahl’s Porpoise
• adults generally 4-5 ft (1.7 m) long
• calves about 2.5 ft (80 cm) long at birth
• feed on small schooling fish

Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina)

• found throughout the northern hemisphere
• found at various haul-out sites around the Victoria area
• approx 30,000 animals found between Race Rocks and Campbell River
• approx 10,000 pups born in this area each year
• population in BC increasing by approx 12.5% per year
• population currently believed to be at historic levels
• pups are born from mid July to mid September around Victoria
• adults are 4-5 ft (1.5 m) long
• adults weigh about 150 lbs (70 kg)
• pups weigh about 20 lbs (10 kg) at birth
• pups suckle for 4-6 weeks
• feed primarily on herring and hake
• eat 4-7 lbs (2-3 kg) fish daily

Stellar Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus)

• found from Washington State to Alaska
• breed mainly in Alaska and some in BC (about 7000 of the 200,000)
• males spread out after breeding season and can be found in abundance around Victoria during the fall and winter months
• unusual to find a female around southern Vancouver Island
• have just been put on the US Endangered Species List due to rapidly declining numbers in Alaska
• the reason for this decline is still unknown but is suspected to be linked with over fishing and resultant food shortages for young animals
• males are about 10 ft (3 m) long
• males weigh 1000-2000 lbs (450-1000 kg)
• males eat about 22-45 lbs (5-10 kg) fish daily
• feed on small schooling fish and salmon when they can catch it (<10% of diet)

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

• found from Mexico to southern BC
• breed mainly in California
• males spread out after breeding season and about 3000 animals venture as far north as southern Vancouver Island during fall and winter months
• extremely unusual to find a female in BC
• males are 6-8 ft (2-2.5 m) long
• males weigh 500-900 lbs (200-400kg)
• feed on small schooling fish and salmon when they can catch it (<10% of diet)