Transients

Mammal-Hunting Killer Whales of B.C., Washington State, and Southeast Alaska

By John K.B. Ford & Graeme M. Ellis
Categories: Regional & Cultural Studies, Canadian Studies, Environmental & Nature Studies, Environmental Protection & Preservation, The Natural World
Publisher: UBC Press
Ebook (EPUB) : 9780774844321, 96 pages, November 2011
Ebook (PDF) : 9780774856300, 96 pages, April 1999

Table of contents

Preface and Acknowledgments

Natural History of Transient Killer Whales

Population Identity, Range and Size

Seasonal and Annual Distribution

Feeding Habits

Social Structure

Vocal Behaviour and Dialects

Population Parameters

Watching Transient Killer Whales

Transient Activities and Behaviours

Where to find transients

Watching transients without disturbing them

Catalogue of Transient Killer Whales

Determining Community Membership

The Naming System

Catalogue composition and organization

Sex and Year of Birth

Transients contains the latest information on the natural
history of transient killer whales, including their feeding habits,
social lives, and distribution patterns.

Description

This book focuses on transient killer whales. Enigmatic and elusive,
these mammal-hunting whales are difficult animals to study. They travel
in small groups, often moving unpredictably, which makes them less
conspicuous than the larger resident pods. For these and other reasons,
our understanding of the life history and ecology of transient killer
whales has lagged behind that of residents. Transients contains the
latest information on the natural history of transient killer whales,
including their feeding habits, social lives, and distribution
patterns. The catalogue section contains photographs of and notes on
over 200 individual whales. Numerous sidebars contain interesting
observations on encounters with transients as well as information on
how and where to best watch them.

Reviews

A major contribution has been made to understand the magical world of B.C.'s killer whales with the release of this book ... offers a scholarly yet readable account of their behaviour and habits. The book captures their distinct way of life.

- Charlie Anderson

Beautifully illustrated, this book contains the latest information on the natural history of transient killer whales and how and where to watch them.

- University Press Books Selected for Public and Secondary School Libraries (2000)