A northern river otter feasts on a crab while keeping an eye out for marauding sea gulls. |
The river otters sharp teeth and large claws make quick work of this crab. River otters are considered marine mammals because though they make their homes on land, the sea provides all of their food. |
Large claws tear the crabs exoskeleton apart revealing a healthy meal for this northern river otter. |
Long whiskers act as sensors in low visibility underwater, feeling the sea floor for obstacles and prey (like the crab hes just polished off!). |
A Dalls porpoise skims the surface at over 30 mph attracted by our vessels waves. |
The unique body shape of the Dalls Porpoise makes it easily distinguishable from other cetacean species. The animal has a very thick body and a small head. The colouration is rather like that of an orca |
Dalls Porpoises are hugely active creatures. They will often zigzag around at great speed on or just below the surface of the water creating a spray called a "rooster tail". They may appear and disappear quite suddenly. |
The fastest of all small cetaceans, Dalls Porpoises can swim at up to 55 km/h, almost as fast as the Orca. |
The Pacific White-sided Dolphin is extremely active and mixes with many of the other cetacean species to be found in the north Pacific. It also readily approaches boats and bow-rides. |
Until the United Nations imposed a ban on certain nets in 1993, many Pacific White-sided Dolphins were killed in drift nets. One researcher estimated somewhere 50,000–89,000 individuals were killed in the twelve years to 1990. Some animals are still kil |
The range of the Pacific White-sided Dolphin runs right in a great arc across the cool to temperate waters of the north Pacific. Prey is mainly hake, anchovies, squid, herring, salmon and cod. |
The porpoises will approach boats and will bow- and stern-ride, but may lose interest, unless the boat is travelling quickly. |
