DISTRIBUTION Killer whales, or orcas, are the second most widely distributed mammal on the earth next to humans. Although they are found in all oceans, only a single species, Orcinus orca, is recognized. Killer whales live in all oceans, but are most frequently found in Antarctica, Northern Japan, Iceland, Norway, Alaska and the Pacific Coast of North America. Because these whales have such a cosmopolitan distribution, they have many different names in different regions. Some of these are: epaulard (French) hahyriningur (Icelandic) shachi (Japanese), kasatka (Russian) schwertwal or morderwal (German) spekkhugger (Norwegian) In some native cultures, killer whales are known as: max'inux (northern Vancouver Island Kwakiutl) ska-ana (Haida of the Queen Charlotte Islands) arluq (eastern Arctic Inuit) dukulad (Ainos of the Kuril Islands) shamanaj (Yahgan of the Tierra del Fuego, South America) In British Columbia, killer whales are found in coastal waters from southern Vancouver Island to the Alaskan boarder. All pictures and audio © Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre 1999 Killer Facts | Distribution | Snacks & Facts | Clans & Pods | Whale Chat | Behaviour | Mug Shots |