Thomas A. Jefferson, Pam J. Stacey and Robin W. Baird
Mammal Review 21:151-180. 1991.
Killer whales are well-known as predators of other marine mammals,
including the large sperm and baleen whales. Members of all marine
mammal families, except the river dolphins and manatees, have been
recorded as prey of killer whales; attacks have been observed on 20
species of cetaceans, 14 species of pinnipeds, the sea otter, and the
dugong. Ecological interactions have not been systematically studied
and further work may indicate that the killer whale is a more important
predator for some populations than previously believed. Not all
behavioural interactions between killer whales and other marine
mammal species result in predation, however. Some involve 'harassment'
by the killer whales, feeding by both species in the same area,
porpoises playing around killer whales, both species apparently
'ignoring' each other, and even apparently unprovoked attacks on
killer whales by sea lions. These non-predatory interactions are
relatively common. We conclude that interactions between killer whales
and marine mammals are complex, involving many different factors that
we are just beginning to understand.
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