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Killer whales, also known as orcas, are apex preda- On the East Coast of the United States, killer whale lation like those found off the Pacific Coast. Instead, Unlike the specialized diets seen in Pacific popu-

tors and one of the most widely distributed marine sightings stretch from the cold waters off New- East Coast killer whales are thought to be part of a lations—such as the salmon-eating Southern Resi-
mammals on Earth. While they are often associated foundland and Nova Scotia, down to the mid-Atlan- wide-ranging and little-known North Atlantic pop- dents or mammal-hunting transients—the East Coast

with the colder waters of the Pacific Northwest or tic states, and occasionally as far south as Florida. ulation that may migrate great distances between orcas appear to have more generalized feeding hab-

the dramatic fjords of Norway, killer whales are also While they are not considered common in these wa- North America, Europe, and the Arctic. its. They have been observed preying on a variety
found along the East Coast of the United States, ters, there have been confirmed reports in regions of marine species, including seals, such as harbor

though sightings there are far less common. These such as the Gulf of Maine, Cape Cod Bay, and even One of the most recognizable orcas in this region is and gray seals, porpoises, large fish, including tuna,
elusive and powerful creatures are drawing increas- off the coast of North Carolina and South Carolina. “Old Thom,” a solitary male frequently spotted in the swordfish, and squid in deeper offshore waters.

ing scientific interest as researchers learn more Gulf of Maine. Thom’s recurring visits have provided

about their behavior, range, and role in the Atlantic A handful of orcas have even ventured into the Gulf rare insight into the behavior of Atlantic orcas, as he One thing’s for sure, when sportfishers spot orcas,
marine ecosystem. of Amercia. Their appearance is irregular, and they often travels with Atlantic white-sided dolphins, a that’s usually a pretty good sign that no marlin or

are not part of any well-documented, resident popu- highly unusual behavior for a top predator. tuna are around. Captains have reported that the

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