Transient and Resident Killer Whales Two types--residents and transients--form separate communities with different ways of life.

1. Residents remain in a small home range, while transients roam over a large area.
2. Residents live in pods of 5 to 50, transients in pods of 1 to 7.
3. Residents each fishes and squid; transients prey on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and other whales.
4. Residents make sounds often, and have repertoires of 5 to 15 different calls; transients call less often and have 3 or 4 calls.

5. Transient stay underwater longer, sometimes for more than 10 minutes.
6. Resident and transient populations have been most extensively studied in Puget Sound. Killer whales elsewhere may live differently.

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