There may be a new group of orcas in the Pacific

Orcas (or killer whales) are the ocean’s top predators. They are found all across the globe and vary in size, behavior and diet depending on where they live.

In the Pacific, there are thought to be three distinct ecotypes of this massive marine mammal. Resident orcas stay in coastal areas and primarily eat fish, transient orcas which feast on other marine mammals such as seals and young whales, and offshore orcas which prey on sharks and other large animals.

However, researchers from the University of British Columbia believe they’ve found a new group of killer whales in the deep waters off of Oregon and California which don’t really fit into any of the conventional ecotypes. The suspected new population looks different and has a different diet than the others. Additionally, they have notable markings from parasites which only inhabit tropical waters and may indicate there’s even more that needs to be uncovered.

If the newly discovered group is indeed a new ecotype, it’s an important reminder that our oceans remain wild, wondrous and continue to surprise us even in this modern age.

You can read more about this development here.