England with
the tuna. Along the Canadian coasts, where distribution and migrations
have been described in some detail, killer whales appear to move inshore
in spring and summer. Many arrive off the east coast of Newfoundland in
June, the Strait of Belle Isle in June and July, and slightly later
along the Labrador coast and Arctic waters. They are found around the
loose ice in April, presumably feeding on harp seals, _Pagophilus
groenlandicus_, and hooded seals, _Cystophora cristata_, and are
frequent in the St. Lawrence estuary in spring and autumn following the
movements of the white whales. The northward movements in spring also
coincide with migrations of balaenopterine whales, which have also been
reported among the food items. Killer whales may remain in arctic or
subarctic waters until driven out by new forming ice in October and
November. Though the migration has not been as thoroughly described,
killer whales apparently begin shifting southwards in autumn.

Stranded Specimens

Stranded killer whales should be readily identifiable by the robust
body, the distinctive body markings, and in larger animals the tall
dorsal fin. Killer whales have from 10 to 12 large, prominent teeth on
each side of the upper and lower jaws.

[Illustration: Figure 89.--Killer whales are often distributed very
close to shore. In these photos from Baja California, they are shown in
two characteristic behaviors--breaching (top) and "spy-hopping" or
"pitchpoling" (bottom). (_Photos by S. Leatherwood._)]

[Illustration: Figure 88.--A small herd of killer whales off southern
California (top) and details of an adult male from that herd (middle)
and of females or immature males off Islas San Benito, Baja California
(bottom). Adult males have a tall erect dorsal fin, which may be more
than 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, while the fins of females and immature males
are less than 3 feet (0.9 m) tall, distinctly falcate, and pointed on
the tip. Both sexes frequently have a grayish-white region, called a
"saddle," behind the dorsal fin. (_Photos by T. Dohl (top and middle)
and S. Leatherwood (bottom)._)]

[Illustration: Figure 90.--A leaping killer whale in California
aquarium. Note the distinctive coloration of the species, white on the
lower jaw, the belly and the anus, and on both sides above the anus.
Note also the distinctive white eye patch often visible on animals at
sea. (_Photo by D. K. Caldwell._)]

[Illustration: Figure 91.--Killer whal