Transient or Resident Orca 2 of 2

Transient orcas generally form smaller and more variable social groupings than residents, roam over a larger area of the coastal waters, and their appearance in particular places is not so predictable. They feed primarily on sea mammals such as seals and sea lions. The name “killer whale” probably stems from observations of transient orcas hunting. Transients are characterized by more triangular and pointed dorsal fins than those of Residents (because they have a broader base), and their saddle patch is generally solid.