Orcas (Orcinus orca) can be more aggressive enemies than we want them to be. Scientists have discovered orcas that have learned to hunt whales (Rhincodon typus), the largest fish in the world.
Marine biologists have documented a previously unproven phenomenon among orcas that live in the Southern Gulf of California, which is the water between the country and Mexico. They found evidence that the whale shark had attacked several times over a period of six years, most of which involved a male named Moctezuma. Although much is still unknown about this event, these findings suggest that these killer whales may have acquired and passed on a unique knowledge that allowed them to kill their larger prey.
Although he had a good reputation from TV shows and movies, orcas they are known to be very predatory wherever they live, preying on a wide variety of fish, rays, and marine animals, including some dolphins. Orcas have also been recorded hunting various types of sharks, including white sharks, but not whale sharks – an animal that would be very difficult for any predators. Although orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family, they are still dwarfed by the whale shark. The largest common orca is about 20-meter-long (6 meters) and weighs 6 tons, while almost a whale shark it can be up to 13.7 meters long and weigh up to 20 tons (some whale sharks are even bigger).
Large whale sharks are not considered natural predators, but smaller and smaller ones are sometimes hunted by sharks and other large fish. Whales have been seen feeding in the Gulf of California, including baby sharks, and there have been anecdotal reports of orcas hunting them in the area (even adults). But this new study, printed Friday in the magazine Frontiers in Marine Scienceit is the first of its kind to verify reports.
Marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas and his colleagues collected photographic and video evidence from people and scientists describing four hunting events that took place between 2018 and 2024. a special part of the bodies of whale sharks: their hips.
“We’re showing how orcas have demonstrated an effective hunting strategy a whale sharkcharacterized by focus on attacking the pelvic region causes a whale Shark bleeding and allowing the orcas to enter the lipid-rich liver,” said Higuera Rivas, a scientist at the non-profit marine research organization Conexiones Terramar, in a statement from Frontiers.
Orca Moctezuma was seen in three of these attacks, while another female orca previously seen by Moctezuma participated in one attack. The repeated presence of these orcas in attacks, as well as their hunting strategy, suggests that they are part of an orca pod that has specialized in whaling, the researchers say.
“When hunting, all members work together, to hunt animals a whale Shark turn it upside down. In that position shark entering a stationary position and they can no longer move voluntarily or escape from deep penetration,” said Higuera Rivas. “Being under control, orcas can be more relaxed and more agile when approaching the pelvic region. Shark and they are able to produce vital organs for them.”
Whale sharks and orcas are widely distributed, although whale sharks tend to stick to warmer, warmer waters. So it is possible that orcas elsewhere have learned to hunt these large fish. Right now, there isn’t much data to tell us either way. If Moctezuma and his pod are specialized whale hunters, this could have important implications for the conservation of this lake region. Any drastic change in the number of whale sharks in the Gulf could affect their chances of survival, for example. And the researchers say more care is needed so that tourists and other visitors to the area do not disturb the environment too much.
The ocean is full of all kinds of mysteries and unknowns, especially in the darkest and deepest parts of the world. But it seems that even some of the largest and most famous aquatic creatures around have their own secrets to reveal.
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