Killer Whales: The Natural History and Genealogy of Orcinus Orca in British Columbia and Washington State

by Kenneth C. Balcomb, John K.B. Ford, Graeme M. Ellis, et al.

Book Overview

The second edition of this bestselling book presents updated results ofover twenty-five years of killer whale research in British Columbia andWashington. Intended for both whale enthusiasts and researchers, itcontains the latest information on what is known of killer whalenatural history and presents a catalogue of close to 300 photographs of"resident" killer whales as well as a genealogical registrythat enables readers to identify individual killer...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0774804696
• ISBN13: 9780774804691
• Release Date: February 1999
• Publisher: UBC Press
• Length: 102 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 10.7" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

If you need to know about orcas...

This is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in orca whales. It has mass amounts of great information, it's easy to read, there are great photographs, and the ID catalogue of orcas is nothing but the best. This book is a must have for any whale-lover, researcher, or someone with just a general interest.

Orca Researcher's Bible

May I first say I have never encountered a better identification book then Killer Whales and Transients. Both books are written by THE wild orca authority in the Pacific Northwest. Catalouged pictures and organized information of each individual in every pod along the coast from WA to northern BC along with accurate info on feeding, behavioral and other habits of the pods in Puget Sound and British Columbia. Truly a great book, and as I plan on researching these animals in my adulthood, it has been a great boost to my knowledge on them.

Wonderful refrenece book

I just returned from a kayaking trip in the Johnston Straight just East of North Vancouver Island known as the inside passage. We had first hand views of the Orcas. This book was used as a reference manual to identify some of the whales. It has wonderful reference pictures of the known pods (families) in the area. It goes into great detail on their eating habits, language, and family history. It also explains their social behavior, and the differences between the pods. It is a wonderful book full of pictures, and details.

For anyone who loves whales.

This book, the second edition for Ellis, Balcomb and Ford, is a beautiful book for anyone interested in whales, their habitat and their behaviour. Focusing on the Orcas of the Pacific Northwest, this book details their lives from what they eat, to their social habits. It includes a wonderful photo chart of all the Northwest Orcas still alive when this book was published. It is a bit heavy reading, with many complex scientific terms. I would not reccommend for children, but if you know anyone with a facination with whales, this book will it into an obsession.