Orcas now at Start Point & off Salcombe

Killer whales are cosmopolitan, so you can encounter them anywhere. They do tend to have family territories, but if conditions change, they will follow their preferred prey species. Different groups tend to specialise on different prey.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
Killer whales are cosmopolitan, so you can encounter them anywhere. They do tend to have family territories, but if conditions change, they will follow their preferred prey species. Different groups tend to specialise on different prey.
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How do you determine if they are from one of the rudder nibbling tribes?
I was happy to depart Shetland having not seen their regular Orcas
 
They have been seen off Cornwall for some time. The move to England may worry the locals.

Quite usual to see them in Scotland - at least back home there is no argument about jam or cream first. The pronunciation of scone is a different matter.
 
Swimming off the back of the boat in the UK just got more…

…Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Spain. For we’ve received orders for to sail back to Boston. And so nevermore shall we see you again.
 
Sandy said:
They have been seen off Cornwall for some time. The move to England may worry the locals.

Quite usual to see them in Scotland - at least back home there is no argument about jam or cream first. The pronunciation of scone is a different matter.
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Scone? Lookout for the stones! :ROFLMAO:
 
dunedin said:
How do you determine if they are from one of the rudder nibbling tribes?
I was happy to depart Shetland having not seen their regular Orcas
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I've seen them off Portree on Skye, a long time ago. I've also seen them in the waters off Vancouver.

It's always worth remembering that they are carnivores at the top of the oceanic food chain, and we are in the size range of things they regard as prey. There are documented examples of them exhibiting hunting behaviour towards humans; the one I am most familiar with was on one of Scott's expeditions, where Killers attempted to break up sea ice (a regular seal hunting tactic) to get at a sledge party. They have a range of behaviours to catch prey that is on sea ice or even ashore; a small yacht wouldn't offer much protection if they decided to go for it. They have killed their trainers in captivity and are notoriously unpredictable in captivity.

When I saw them off Portree, a) I was delighted to see them and b) grateful they weren't showing any interest in the small yacht I was sailing.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
I've seen them off Portree on Skye, a long time ago. I've also seen them in the waters off Vancouver.

It's always worth remembering that they are carnivores at the top of the oceanic food chain, and we are in the size range of things they regard as prey. There are documented examples of them exhibiting hunting behaviour towards humans; the one I am most familiar with was on one of Scott's expeditions, where Killers attempted to break up sea ice (a regular seal hunting tactic) to get at a sledge party. They have a range of behaviours to catch prey that is on sea ice or even ashore; a small yacht wouldn't offer much protection if they decided to go for it. They have killed their trainers in captivity and are notoriously unpredictable in captivity.

When I saw them off Portree, a) I was delighted to see them and b) grateful they weren't showing any interest in the small yacht I was sailing.
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I feel very reassured - NOT! 😀

PS / Edit - Particularly as felt safer having left Shetland ..... but currently headed for Skye !
 
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dunedin said:
I feel very reassured - NOT! 😀

PS / Edit - Particularly as felt safer having left Shetland ..... but currently headed for Skye !
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You would achieve permanent (but perhaps not undying) personal fame if actually attacked personally by an Orca in open water (as opposed to captivity).

AFAIK you'd be the first in recorded history?

Surely some compensation?

In contrast, no compensatory fame and misfortune was on offer when I encountered a horrifyingly humdrum BIG SHARK when snorkelling in Malaysia, so I felt free to be fairly frightened.
 
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ducked said:
You would achieve permanent (but perhaps not undying) personal fame if actually attacked personally by an Orca in open water (as opposed to captivity).

AFAIK you'd be the first in recorded history?

Surely some compensation?

In contrast, no compensatory fame and misfortune was on offer when I encountered a horrifyingly humdrum BIG SHARK when snorkelling in Malaysia, so I felt free to be fairly frightened.
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I'd have to look it up, but I think there was a well-authenticated attempt on a yacht in South African waters. But certainly they don't take people routinely. The potential is there, though, and the attacks on boat's rudders and keeps in Spanish and Portuguese waters indicate that their behaviour is plastic and they can learn new ways.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
I'd have to look it up, but I think there was a well-authenticated attempt on a yacht in South African waters. But certainly they don't take people routinely. The potential is there, though, and the attacks on boat's rudders and keeps in Spanish and Portuguese waters indicate that their behaviour is plastic and they can learn new ways.
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Eating humans wouldn't make much sense - being land animals we have a high bone:mass ratio. Sea predators go for high energy foods - we're not it.
 
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