Photo of the Week: False Killer Whales off Scripps Pier

Unusually warm waters off Scripps Pier have brought about the appearance in the area of several marine species associated with regions closer to the equator. A pod of false killer whales was seen off the pier on Feb. 24. NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center researchers Susan Chivers said SWFSC surveys had never spotted them north of central Baja California before.

 

False killer whales likely live to about 60 years, Chivers added. They begin breeding in their teens and females produce a calf about every five years.  They are cooperative hunters known to feed on large game fish like yellowfin tuna and are typically found in groups of 6 to 50 individuals. Photo: Michelle Robbins/NOAA