Little and large killer whale

Published on Wednesday 6 January 2010 21:34

SCOTTISH researchers have discovered there are two distinct types of killer whales in the waters around the British coast.

Adult killer whales in one of the groups of orcas are bigger and live on a diet of small cetaceans such as dolphins, while the adults in the other group are smaller and feed on herring and mackerel.

The discovery was the result of a three-year study by marine scientists from Aberdeen University and the University of Copenhagen involving bones of killer whales kept at museums in England, Scotland and Copenhagen.

According to the research the adults in one of the groups are almost two metres larger than adults in the other group. They also have little tooth wear, while the other type has worn teeth.

Andy Foote, of Aberdeen University, who led the study, said: "No-one ever thought there were different types of killer whales in the Atlantic around the UK."