On Tuesday November 15, 2005, the federal government increased the level of protection for Puget Sound’s Orca whales by listing them as an endangered species. The Orcas were previously listed as a threatened species.
About San Juan Island’s Orca Whales
Learn more about the habits and habitat of Orca whales. Orcas spend their lives in long-term social groups, called pods (group size: 3-25) These pods are stable family-related groups. Orcas display a high level of care for their offspring. The orca’s gestation period is thought to be 12-16 months, with most calves born between October and March. In addition to the mothers, various
Orca Whale Quick Facts
The largest of all dolphins (the Delphidae family), the orca is also known as killer whale, blackfish and grampus. At birth an orca can weigh up to 395 lbs. The adult weight can range from 2.6 tons to 9 tons. Orcas can swim up to 34 mph (55 km/h). A female orca’s milk contains about 48% fat for several months after her calf is born. During first several months of its life, the calf will often consume 10% of its body weight per day in order to develop a thick layer of insulating fat, or “blubber”, on its body.…
Minke Whales
Orca aren’t the only whales found in the waters of the San Juan Islands. Northern minke whales also live in the inland coastal waters of Washington but can be shy of boat traffic.
Bald Eagle Facts
The San Juan Islands host between 40 to 50 breeding pairs of bald eagles, one of the largest eagle nesting populations in the continental United States.
Birding in the San Juans
The rocky and tree lined shores of the San Juan Islands provide an excellent habitat for a wide variety of different bird species.