KILLER WHALE
SAN JUAN ISLAND
As the salmon runs continue to increase
throughout the year, the orca population in
the Pacific Northwest becomes increasingly
more prevalent. The San Juan Islands has a
resident population of killer whales, which
makes whale watching a wildly popular activity
in the summer. Interestingly, male orcas can
grow as long as 23 feet and can weigh between
7 and 10 tons, while female orcas can top out
at 21 feet in length and weigh between 4 and
6 tons. Despite their size orcas are among the
fastest marine mammals able to reach speeds
in excess of 35 mph. Orcas, also called killer
whales, feed primarily on salmon, squid, birds
and marine mammals like seals. Members of
the dolphin family, orcas use echolocation to
hunt their prey. By bouncing sound off objects
they’re able to determine its location eventually
using a series of high-pitched clicks to stun their
prey. Members of orca pods often hunt together
forcing salmon, for example, into tight quarters
and then take turns feeding on individual fish
that are weak or have been stunned. It is the
aforementioned speed that pays dividends while
pursuing their prey. And residents and visitors
to the Pacific Northwest are always eager to
catch a glimpse of orcas in the wild. And there’s
no better place than the San Juan Islands.
EMILY SCHALLER PHOTO
kenmoreair.com
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