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Orcas Killer Whales
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Pictures of Orca Whales
Orca Mouth
Orca Spyhopping
Killer Whales Live
Orca Killer Whales
Orca Pods
Orca Killer Whales
Orca Killer Whales
Eyesight
- Killer whales have acute vision both in and out of the water.
- A killer whale's eyes are on each side of the head, located just behind
and above the mouth, and in front of the white eyespot. The ears, located just
behind the eyes, are small inconspicuous openings, with no external flaps or
pinnae.
- Glands at the inner corners of the eye sockets secrete an oily, jelly-like
mucus that lubricates the eyes, washes away debris, and probably helps
streamline the eyes as a killer whale swims. The tear-like film may also
protect the eyes from infectious organisms.
- The eye and external ear openings of killer whales are well camouflaged
and located near the white 'false eyespot'. These false eyespots may protect a
killer whale's eyes from prey they are attacking. Prey animals may attempt to
injure the eyes of a predator in order to escape, but the obvious false
eyespots may draw attention away from the killer whales' real eyes.
- To see above the water, killer whales lift their heads above the water's
surface. This behavior is known as spy-hopping.
- In the often darkened waters of the ocean, eyesight may be of little help
in locating prey. Under these conditions, killer whales probably rely on sound
production and reception to navigate and find prey in murky waters.
Echolocation
- The term echolocation refers to an ability that odontocetes (and a few
other animals like bats) possess that enables them to locate and discriminate
objects by projecting high-frequency sound waves and listening for echoes.
Odontocetes echolocate by producing clicking sounds and then receiving and
interpreting the resulting echo.
- Killer whales produce directional, broad band clicks in trains. Each
click lasts less than one millisecond.
- Clicks include a wide range of frequencies, with most energy in the range
of 10 to 80 kHz. A 25-kHz peak is common, but individuals can probably vary
the peak frequency to suit the circumstances.
- The click train passes through the melon (the rounded region of a killer
whale's forehead), which contains lipids (fats). The melon acts as an
acoustical lens to focus these sound waves into a beam, which is projected
forward into water in front of the whale.
- High frequency sounds do not travel far in water. Because of their longer
wavelength and greater energy, low frequency sounds travel farther.
- Sound waves travel through water at a speed of about 1.5 km/sec (0.9
mi/sec), which is four-and-a-half times as fast as sound traveling through
air. The sound waves produced by a killer whale bounce off objects in the
water and return to the killer whale in the form of an echo.
- Many of the details of echolocation are not completely understood, so
research in this field continues. However, studies conducted thus far have
shown that echolocation allows odontocetes to determine size, shape, speed,
distance, direction, and even some of the internal structure of objects in the
water.
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The Skipper's Corner
"The Legendary Captain" Ron King, Owner Operator
of Sea King Adventures, has over 35 years of experience
in the beautiful waters around Victoria and Vancouver Island. He is a certified
Master Skipper with naturalist and conservation education.
Since staring in business in 1995 Ron boasts a perfect
safety record.
Born and raised in Victoria, Captain Ron has over 30 years
of professional marine experience - including 25 years of commercial fishing and
11 years whale watching.
Like his father before him, going to sea is the only life he’s known. He began
his career as a deckhand on board his father’s fishing boat "Five Kings II" at
the tender age of 11. By the time he was 20, he owned and operated his first
fishing vessel, "Aquarius".
In 1995, with the commercial fishery in decline, he
discovered his passion and purpose in whale watching and founded SeaKing
Adventures Inc.
Because SeaKing Adventures is Victoria’s only 100% family owned and
operated marine tour company, Ron’s commitment to quality, safety and
satisfaction is guaranteed! His central location on board the vessel allows him
to provide Victoria’s most comprehensive fully narrated, totally interactive and
personalized tours. Boasting a spotless safety record and sightings guarantee,
Ron’s qualifications and experience combine to make him the city’s premier
guide.
Our vessel can accommodate groups of 12 comfortably and is
Canadian Coast Guard inspected annually. The soft riding boat has comfy leather
seats, an onboard toilet and is equipped with all the latest in GPS, radar and
communications apparatus. Safety survival suits are supplied for each passenger.
Passengers can all expect a exciting, educational, safe and
comfortable tour of the area whales and wildlife.
Reservations
Recommended Book early!
2009 Rates
Call Now
(250) 381-4173
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