Side bar -Orca Facts Largest member of the Dolphin family. Unlike other populations of orcas, the three pods in the San Juans, only eat fish, principally salmon. There are, however, transient orcas who occasionally visit and eat marine mammals. Animals swim 60 to 90 miles a day in the wild. They are matrilineal and interelated and according to the whale museum, seem to enjoy each other's company.
Orcas remain with their pod for their entire lives.
Scientists think dwindling salmon stocks, toxic pollution and increased vessel traffic have played a part in this reduction. Males have large dorsal fins that stick up higher in the water. Whale Museum - Since 1979 the best resource on Orcas, located in Friday Harbor. As the lactic acid began to build up in my arms, I saw something. At our distance it still only looked like a black finger rolling over into the water.