Best Ecotype
Updated Daily
Bigg's killer whale, formerly known as the transient killer whale, is a distinct ecotype of killer whale found in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. It is named after Canadian cetologist Michael Bigg, who pioneered the use of photo-identification for studying these marine mammals. Unlike fish-eating r...
The Type B killer whale is an ecotype of orca native to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters, frequently observed in regions with extensive pack ice. It is characterized by a visually distinct coloration, specifically a yellowish tint caused by an accumulation of microscopic diatom algae on its sk...
The Type D killer whale is a distinctive, morphologically unique ecotype of killer whale found in the sub-Antarctic oceans. It is most easily recognized by its unusually small, rounded white eye patch and a more bulbous melon compared to other killer whale populations. For decades, this rare form wa...
Type A killer whales are the largest of the several genetically and morphologically distinct ecotypes of orcas found in Antarctic waters. They inhabit open ocean environments rather than pack ice, where they specialize in hunting minke whales. These killer whales are physically characterized by a me...
Type C killer whales represent the smallest of the recognized ecotypes of orcas found in Antarctic waters. They are typically observed in the dense pack ice and specialize in foraging for Antarctic toothfish. This ecotype is visually distinguished by its notably slanted, forward-oriented white eye p...
The offshore killer whale is one of three identified ecotypes of killer whales found in the eastern North Pacific. Unlike the resident and transient ecotypes, these whales are typically found far from the coast in large groups. Their diet is believed to consist primarily of fish and sharks, though t...
