Whales in Alaska.

The orca or killer whale is readily identified. With it's pointed dorsal fin of up to 6 feet tall and shinny black and white white bodies typically sporting a white patch behind the eyes.

Common names: Orcas, aka Killer Whale
Scientific Name: Orcinus orca
Length: adult female up to 23-feet, adult male up to 27-ft, newborn calf up to 7-9 feet
Weight: adult female over 8000-lbs., adult male over 11,000-lbs. newborn calf up to 800-lbs.
Height of dorsal fin: adult female up to 2.5 feet, adult male up to 5-ft
Average life expectancy for adults: female 50 years (80 to 90 years maximum life expectancy),
male 30 years (50 to 60 years)
Travel speeds: max - 35 mph for short durations, typical traveling speed - 4-6 mph
Typical submersion times: Averages 10-30 seconds
Habitat: Found worldwide with largest populations living near coastal areas with cooler water temperatures.
Diet: Consists of fish, squid, seals, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, porpoises and other large whales like the blue whale.
Conservation Status: Being monitored but currently listed as stable.
Miscellaneous
Orcas live in matrilineal family groups called pods.
Killer whales have no natural predators, they are the top predators of the oceans.
An adult orca consumes on average of 100-300 pounds of food per day, depending on size and energy needs.
Nursing females will consume 2 to 4 times this amount
Orcas have a 16-17 month gestation period.

Orcas found in Alaska's waters by region and numbers:

Background - Alaska Dept. Fish and Game: During the 1980s, photo identification techniques were used for the first time in Southeast Alaska and in Prince William Sound to determine the number of individuals and pods of killer whales occurring in those two areas. Following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, these studies were expanded and carried out on a more systematic basis. As a result of this research, Because some areas of Alaska have never had any photo identification research done, substantial numbers of killer whales may remain to be identified and counted.

Prince William Sound: approximately 250 animals in 15 pods.
Southeast Alaska: Approximately 160 animals.
Kodiak to the Shumagin Islands: approximately 100 animals.
Bering Sea: approximately 100 animals.

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Numbers obtained from the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game.