Orcas are second only to humans as the most widely distributed animal on the earth and are found in every ocean of the world. They appear only to be limited by physical barriers, such as the polar ice pack. Powerful streamlined bodies enable the Orca to cover up to 100 miles per day, yet they are not thought to have the huge migratory ranges exhibited by other cetaceans.
Resident orcas in British Columbia have been found to travel in a range of just 250 miles for the summer and fall, although their range and behavior is unknown during the winter months. Transient orcas studied in these areas show a wider range of over 900 miles.
Orcas are found in the largest numbers in temperate waters. They are particularly concentrated in Antarctica, Northern Japan, Iceland, Norway, Alaska, Washington State, and British Columbia, and are sighted only sporadically in other parts.
