What Do Killer Whales Eat in the Arctic?

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are the top marine predators in the areas that they inhabit. If you are unfamiliar with killer whales, then you only need to think about SeaWorld and their famous iconic mascot ‘Shamu’. Unfortunately, killer whales are called so for a reason, and are not in fact as friendly as SeaWorld would have you believe. Researchers from Manitoba visited 11 Canadian Nunavut Inuit communities and gathered information on killer whale eating and hunting patters. The Inuit told the researchers that the killer whales ate whatever they could catch, from fish to other marine mammals. Though they admitted to never actually seeing them consume fish, the Inuit speculated that the killer whales did eat them. They said that Killer whales mostly hunted and ate seals (ringed, harp, bearded, and hooded) and whales (narwhal, beluga and bowhead). There are three to five types of killer whales that may just be different enough to warrant labeling them as different species in years to come. Each type has a relatively different diet. The Inuit reported seeing the killer whales hunt, and that they would frequently do so in a pack (similar to wolves). There were several reports of a pack of killer whales trapping a much larger bowhead whale (up to 66 ft; average male killer whale: 20-26 ft.). Some whales held the bowhead’s flippers or tail, while others covered its blowhole. Every once in awhile, dead bowheads with bite marks and internal injuries were found by locals.

Analysis:
The article was an example of discovery science as researchers took in data and figured out a common pattern for killer whales.

The importance it has for people is not actually that great, as it does not affect anyone personally, but it does help people learn more and understand killer whales.

Authors: Steven H Ferguson, Jeff W Higdon and Kristin H Westdal, Aquatic Biosystems.
Title: What Do Killer Whales Eat in the Arctic?
Journal: Science Daily
Published: January 29, 2012