10,753
edits
Difference between revisions of "Orca"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
added notes on adopted orca
(aded info about Order of the Orca) |
Westarctica (talk | contribs) (added notes on adopted orca) |
||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
The three to five types of killer whales may be distinct enough to be considered different races, subspecies, or possibly even species. Although large variation in the ecological distinctiveness of different killer whale groups complicate simple differentiation into types, research off the west coast of Canada and the United States in the 1970s and 1980s identified the following three types: | The three to five types of killer whales may be distinct enough to be considered different races, subspecies, or possibly even species. Although large variation in the ecological distinctiveness of different killer whale groups complicate simple differentiation into types, research off the west coast of Canada and the United States in the 1970s and 1980s identified the following three types: | ||
* '''Resident''': These are the most commonly sighted of the three populations in the coastal waters of the northeast Pacific. Residents' diets consist primarily of fish and sometimes squid, and they live in complex and cohesive family groups called pods. Female residents characteristically have rounded dorsal fin tips that terminate in a sharp corner. They visit the same areas consistently. British Columbia and Washington resident populations are amongst the most intensively studied marine mammals anywhere in the world. Researchers have identified and named over 300 killer whales over the past 30 years. | * '''Resident''': These are the most commonly sighted of the three populations in the coastal waters of the northeast Pacific. Residents' diets consist primarily of fish and sometimes squid, and they live in complex and cohesive family groups called pods. Female residents characteristically have rounded dorsal fin tips that terminate in a sharp corner. They visit the same areas consistently. British Columbia and Washington resident populations are amongst the most intensively studied marine mammals anywhere in the world. Researchers have identified and named over 300 killer whales over the past 30 years. One of these, an orca named "Holly," was adopted by the [[Viscount of Bursey]] in 2020 through the WDC whale adoption project. | ||
* '''Transient''': The diets of these whales consist almost exclusively of marine mammals. Transients generally travel in small groups, usually of two to six animals, and have less persistent family bonds than residents. Transients vocalize in less variable and less complex dialects. Female transients are characterized by more triangular and pointed dorsal fins than those of residents. The gray or white area around the dorsal fin, known as the "saddle patch", often contains some black colouring in residents. However, the saddle patches of transients are solid and uniformly gray. Transients roam widely along the coast; some individuals have been sighted in both southern Alaska and California. Transients are also referred to as Bigg's killer whale in honor of cetologist Michael Bigg. The term has become increasingly common and may eventually replace the transient label. | * '''Transient''': The diets of these whales consist almost exclusively of marine mammals. Transients generally travel in small groups, usually of two to six animals, and have less persistent family bonds than residents. Transients vocalize in less variable and less complex dialects. Female transients are characterized by more triangular and pointed dorsal fins than those of residents. The gray or white area around the dorsal fin, known as the "saddle patch", often contains some black colouring in residents. However, the saddle patches of transients are solid and uniformly gray. Transients roam widely along the coast; some individuals have been sighted in both southern Alaska and California. Transients are also referred to as Bigg's killer whale in honor of cetologist Michael Bigg. The term has become increasingly common and may eventually replace the transient label. | ||
| Line 44: | Line 44: | ||
==Symbol of Westarctica== | ==Symbol of Westarctica== | ||
The orca is the official whale of [[Westarctica]] and is used as supporters on the lesser [[National Symbols of Westarctica|coat of arms]]. Orcas were featured on the coin created for [[Sturge Island]] in 2012. In 2019 the [[Illustrious Antarctic Order of the Orca]] was created as the new highest [[Orders of Westarctica|Westarctican knighthood]]. The orca was selected due to its depiction on the nation's Lesser Arms. They were additionally chosen due to their status as an apex predator, communal nature, and gentle disposition known for becoming aggressive when necessary. | The orca is the official whale of [[Westarctica]] and is used as supporters on the lesser [[National Symbols of Westarctica|coat of arms]]. Orcas were featured on the coin created for [[Sturge Island]] in 2012. In 2019 the [[Illustrious Antarctic Order of the Orca]] was created as the new highest [[Orders of Westarctica|Westarctican knighthood]]. The orca was selected due to its depiction on the nation's Lesser Arms. They were additionally chosen due to their status as an apex predator, communal nature, and gentle disposition known for becoming aggressive when necessary. | ||
In 2020, a female orca named “Holly” was adopted by the [[Viscount of Bursey]] on behalf of Westarctica. | |||
[[Category:Animals of Westarctica]] | [[Category:Animals of Westarctica]] | ||
[[Category:Whales]] | [[Category:Whales]] | ||