Transients: Mammal-Hunting Killer Whales of British Columbia, Washington, and Southeastern Alaska

by Graeme M. Ellis and John K.B. Ford

Killer whales are found in all oceans of the world, but nowhere are they better known than in the coastal waters of Washington, British Columbia, and Southeastern Alaska, where 25 years of study have yielded many surprising discoveries about their natural history. One of the most remarkable is that two genetically distinct forms of killer whales reside in these waters. The two groups of whales do not associate and each leads a completely different...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0295978171
• ISBN13: 9780295978178
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: UBC Press
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.8" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Great Guide to the Transient Mammal-eating Orcas

"Transients: Mammal-hunting Killer whales of British Columbia, Washington and Southeastern Alaska" is just the book to help the whale watcher get to know the various transient pods and their members. In the first half the authors present the history and biology of the transient pods and compare them to the resident (salmon-eating) pods. The dorsal fin and back of each known pod member has been photographed and these photographs are reproduced in the second half of the book, along with genealogical data. This and an earlier book on the resident pods are indispensable if the whale-watcher really wants to actually understand what is being observed. John Ford and Graeme Ellis have given the watcher exactly what they need to enjoy the experience of seeing these magnificent creatures where they should be seen- in the wild. I was lucky to see pods of both the resident orcas and transient orcas while on a whale-watch in the San Juan Islands in August of 2008. These are indeed glorious creatures and I was saddened to learn that some of the orcas we saw in the local (apparently L-Pod) group may have died of starvation. The transients we saw included a huge bull who swam by at a distance, but was later visible under the snow capped presence of Mt. Baker. Although the pod passed by a group of harbor seals, they seemed to be well-fed compared to the local group and did not attack. I now will have to examine my photos to see if I can identify the pod involved, as I was able to do with some of the local pod, based on the earlier book. I recommend this book, especially if you are going to visit the area, but even if you are not and have some interest in these remarkable animals.

Excellent Book, highly recommended.

This is the best book available regarding the little-known and mysterious transient orcas. In addition to having a detail catolgue of each transient whale in B.C waters, the book analysis and discuss the distinct behaviour and hunting styles of the transients, which are completely different from the salmon-eating resident killer whales.Futhermore, there are numerous rare and spectacualr photos showing transients launching into the air and attacking their preys. This shows why Killer Whales are called "killers". For while these whales do not attack or eat man, they are highly efficient predators, no marine mammal is safe from transient whales. Read this book and you will understand why.

Mammal munching superstars

This is the definitive source for information on the transient or mammal hunting race of killer whales of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. If you are serious about learning what there is to know about these fascinating superpredators-this is THE book to buy. I am a naturalist on a whale watch boat in the San Juan Islands and we use this book constantly to inform our guests about the "alter egos" of our salmon eating Resident Orcas. Fabulous pictures and incredible stories.