No reliable world population estimate exists for killer whales. Resident pods in B.C. do not forage cooperatively, usually individuals or maternal subgroups catch fishes independently. Members of transient pods may cooperate to kill large prey such as sea lions. Aerial displays are most commonly seen during socializing episodes and may represent play, but may also occur in other contexts, for example during foraging. Aerial displays involving contact of the body on the water's surface may sound loud underwater, but this is probably not used for communication.
Aerial behaviours are most likely displays of social excitement, dominance, or aggression.
In transients, breaching may be used to startle or confuse prey. Different clans often occur in the same area and pods from each clan may travel together. Pod-specific dialects probably convey information about pod relationship and are important in maintaining the cohesion and identity of the group. Slight changes to standard call formats communicate additional information such as the identity, location and emotional state of the vocalizing individual. The only other mammals known to have dialects are humans Back to the list Some interesting facts about killer whales.