Whale Watchers Get a Killer View of a ‘Super Pod’ : The Not- So Deadly Killer Whale

Killer whales, the distinctively patterned black and white whales made famous by marine shows and the movie “Free Willy,” have been seen in increasing numbers off the Orange Countycoast. Not known to attack humans, killer whales prey on marine mammals, including larger species of whales.

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Killer Whale Facts

Class: Mammal

Genus and species: Orcinus orca

Range: Worldwide, but more common to subarctic and arctic regions. In the Pacific, they are numerous off the Alaska, British Columbia and Washington coasts. Nonmigratory, but they followavailable food sources.

Average adult size: Males 27 feet, 10,000 to 12,000 pounds; females 24 feet, 6,000 pounds.

Average life span: 25 to 35 years

Prey: All types of marine mammals, including whales, seals, sea lions and dolphins. Also squid and smaller fish.

Behavior: Travels in pods of five to 40. Pods sometimes form super pods, which can exceed 100 whales, possibly for breeding purposes.

Navigation: Generates sound waves and navigates off return echoes similar to sonar.

Communication: Physical gestures and sounds made by squeezing air through nasal sacs and blowhole.

Intelligence: Highly inquisitive and trainable; noted for long memory.

Sources: Sea World, Peterson Field Guides, Oregon Coast Aquarium; Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times