Killer Whales, 2nd edition

The Natural History and Genealogy of Orcinus orca in British Columbia and Washington State

By Graeme M. Ellis & Kenneth Balcomb
Categories: Environmental & Nature Studies, Environmental History, The Natural World
Publisher: UBC Press
Ebook (EPUB) : 9780774844307, 104 pages, November 2011
Ebook (PDF) : 9780774852449, 104 pages, October 2007

Table of contents

Preface and Acknowledgments

Our Changing Relationship with the Killer Whale

The Development of Our Study

Natural History of the Killer Whale

Distinct Populations: Residents, Transients, and Offshores

Different Lifestyles

Dialects and Population Identity

Population Parameters

Resident Killer Whale Societies

Definitions of Social Structure

Watching Killer Whales

Land-based Whale Watching

Vessel-based Whale Watching

Interpreting Whale Activities and Behaviours

Does Watching Whales Bother Them?

Catalogue of Resident Killer Whales

The Naming System

How Whales Are Identified

Catalogue Organization

Sex and Years of Birth and Death

Northern Resident Community

Southern Resident Community

Catalogue

Conservation Concerns and Future Prospects for Killer
Whales

Food Supply

Environmental Contaminants

Vessel Disturbance

Population Status and Future Outlook

Bibliography

Other Resources

Photographic Credits

Sidebars

Killer Whales as Nuisances

Distinguishing Resident, Transient, and Offshore Killer Whales

Distinguishing Males and Females

Whale-Watching Tours

How to Behave around Killer Whales

Orcinus orca: The Killer Dolphin

Eavesdropping on Killer

Whales Communication and Echolocation

Wanted: ID Photos and Observations

Changing Features of Fins and Saddles

Killer Whales, Ships, and Care-Giving Behaviour

Genetic Testing: Shedding New Light on Killer Whale Biology

Description

This new edition of this best-selling book presents updated results of
over twenty-five years of killer whale research in British Columbia and
Washington. Intended for both whale enthusiasts and researchers, it
contains the latest information on killer whale natural history and
presents a catalogue of close to 300 photographs of
"resident" killer whales as well as a genealogical registry
that enables readers to identify individual killer whales and their
family groups. The technique of photographing the dorsal fin and grey
saddle patch of whales has revolutionized the study of killer whales,
allowing researchers to follow individuals over the course of many
years.

Reviews

The book Killer Whales appeared in 1994 and was hailed as "an astounding accomplishment." It remains an indispensable guide for whale watchers and researchers, presenting twenty years of killer whale research in BC and Washington ... These books are full of amazing photographs and the dorsal ID shots will help identify the whales you see!

- Wavelength

This beautiful book, full of color and black-and-white photographs, describes the cutting edge of killer whale research, in a highly readable format, by three of the world’s most prominent cetacean researchers. I would not cast off my lines without this book aboard.

- Alexandra Morton

The book is an excellent description of the social structure, genealogy, and individual characteristics of killer whales that frequent the nearshore marine waters of British Columbia and Washington State ... It belongs in the collections of all marine mammal scientists and those amateur naturalists whose heads are turned by the alluring qualities of killer whales

- Glenn R. VanBlaricom, University of Washington

Here is the book my students have wanted for a long time. Everything you ever wanted to know about killer whales. Buy several copies in case it goes out of print ... Recommended to anyone who loves whales but to readers from about Grade 8 through adult.

- Michele Edwards