What kind of whales are in Washington?

Asked by: Pang Hair

Minke, gray, humpback, and, on very rare occasions, blue are all whales sighted off the coast of the Evergreen State. But the most notable cetaceans swimming off the shores of Washington are the sleek black-and-white orcas, commonly referred to as killer whales.

What whales live in Washington State?

There are seven species of whales and dolphins that frequent the Puget Sound and Salish Sea (the waters that run up to the west of Vancouver Island): orcas, transient orcas, gray whales, humpback whales, minkes, fin whales, pacific white-sided dolphins, and pseudorcas.

Are beluga whales in Washington?

A beluga from the Beaufort Sea has traveled unusually far south — all the way to Washington state. A beluga whale found unusually far south in Puget Sound last month is believed to have come from a pod in the Beaufort Sea, said NOAA Fisheries.

Are blue whales in Washington?

Blue whales regularly occurred off the Washington coast prior to and during the whaling era. Sightings became rare, however, with just three recorded in the 50-year period prior to 2015, including six animals seen in December 2011. Blue whales are now regularly present off the outer Washington coast.

Do whales live in Washington?

And gray whales aren’t the only species you can spot from land in Washington. According to Orca Network, minke whales and transient orcas are also most likely to be seen in the early spring months. Humpback whales, although present in this region, are usually not spotted until May.

Are there killer whales in Washington?

Killer whales are distributed nearly worldwide. In Washington, they occur in most of the state’s marine waters. Only small portions of both transient and offshore populations normally occur in Washington at any one time.

How many killer whales are left in Washington State?

74

In spite of their protected status as an endangered species by Washington state, the U.S., and Canada, the Southern Resident orca population has fallen. It has declined from 98 in 1995 to only 74 as of August 2021. Even with the birth of two calves, this group’s numbers remain dangerously low.

Are there belugas in Puget Sound?

The beluga whale was reported for the first time in Puget Sound the week of Oct. 3. The only previously documented sighting of a beluga whale in Puget Sound came in 1940 near Point Defiance. NOAA scientists were able to pinpoint the whale’s origin by analyzing genetic material collected from the whale.

Why is a beluga whale in Puget Sound?

A beluga whale that swam thousands of miles south on a rare trip to Puget Sound earlier this month is likely from waters north of Alaska. Scientists collected the whale’s genetic material during its Washington stay and an analysis of that DNA helped give a glimpse into where the beluga’s trip began.

Is the beluga still in the Puget Sound?

It was last sighted on October 20 near Tacoma. The whale does not appear to be from the small and endangered Cook Inlet beluga population near Anchorage, Alaska. The genetic analysis involved sequencing DNA extracted from a water sample collected near the beluga whale in Puget Sound earlier this month.

Are there killer whales in Seattle?

You can see orcas in Seattle, Washington and the surrounding areas year round. But summer between May and September are the best times to kayak with orcas. That’s because their food source, salmon, is most active around this time. What is this?

Can you see orca whales in Washington State?

The southern resident killer whales, also known as blackfish or orcas, frequent the west side of San Juan Island from late spring through early autumn. Whale watching tours depart daily from Orcas and San Juan Island allowing an opportunity for viewing the whales in the wild.

Are there orcas in Puget Sound?

Orcas, or killer, whales (Orcinus orca) swim in every ocean on Earth. But Puget Sound’s Southern Resident Killer whales have an unusually beloved place in human hearts and culture.

Are sharks in the Puget Sound?

The Sixgill Shark is found all over the world including Puget Sound. They have been observed as deep as 6,000 feet but are commonly found around 300 feet. They are a rare sight in Puget Sound, so if you’re diving and you see one, don’t feel scared … feel lucky!

Are there whales in Seattle?

From Seattle

You’re more likely to spot orcas here during the fall and winter months, but transient whales can be seen here year round. (Pro tip: Bring along a pair of binoculars.) Find more onshore whale watching spots in the region at the Orca Network’s Whale Sighting Viewpoints Map.

When can you see whales in Washington?

Whales are a migratory species that follow the pacific coast during the spring and fall. While sightings have occurred anywhere from October through July, your best bet is to plan a trip in spring, specifically the month May.

Are there whales in Lake Washington?

The Orca Network cautions boaters to be aware of the whale and give it plenty of room. The locks connect saltwater Puget Sound to freshwater Lake Union and Lake Washington. Gray whales, which grow to 50 feet long and 40 tons, can live to 70 years old.

Can you see humpback whales in Seattle?

There are few places in the world like the Pacific Northwest where one can find gray, minke, humpback as well as two types of orca whales all within reach on a Seattle whale watching trip.

Do whales enter Puget Sound?

After spending most of the summer in the San Juan Islands, our Resident orca pods venture south into inland waters for the fall and early winter months, traveling down Admiralty Inlet chasing chum salmon runs into lower Puget Sound.

Are humpbacks the same as gray whales?

Humpback whales are another species that traverse the vast Pacific, though in much smaller numbers than the gray whales. Humpbacks are an endangered species with both international and federal government protected status. Their population was monitored and mapped in the north Pacific.

Do orcas eat GREY whales?

Killer whales are the gray whales’ main predator.

How many killer whales are in Puget Sound?

The orcas that are seen in our local waters are part of the southern resident community, composed of J, K and L pods. The most recent count finds fewer than 80 orcas in the southern resident community.

Where is the best place to see orcas in Washington?

The San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands off the coast of northwestern Washington are known for being one of the best places to see orcas in the wild. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Seattle to Anacortes, then a short ferry ride across the sound to Friday Harbor, where many whale-watching outfitters leave on daily excursions.

What do orcas eat in Washington?

Chinook salmon

Resident (fish-eating) Orcas
Resident orcas eat only salmon — primarily Chinook salmon — a large, calorie-rich food source. They travel and hunt in large sociable groups of closely related individuals.

What kind of orcas live in Puget Sound?

Southern Resident Killer Whales

Meet thePuget Sound Orca Whale
In the waters of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands there are two different types of orca whales: mammal-eating orcas the Chinook salmon- eating orcas called Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW).

Do orcas eat dolphins?

Looking at all populations, orcas are generalist eaters, consuming fish, seals and sea lions, dolphins and porpoises, sharks and rays, large whales, cephalopods (octopods and squids), seabirds and more.

Why are orcas so mean?

Since orcas are extremely intelligent, they often use their developed communication skills and carnivorous instincts to dominate the ocean as apex predators. A group of aggressive orcas have the collective power to take down almost any threat, including humans.