Killer whale (killer whale) may be even more ferocious predators than we believe. Scientists discovered killer whales that learned to hunt whale sharks (Lyncodon typepus), the world’s largest fish.
Marine biologists have documented previously unseen behavior among orcas living in the southern Gulf of California, between the state and the country of Mexico. They found evidence of several whale shark attacks over a six-year period, most of which involved a particular male killer whale known as Moctezuma. Although much is still unknown about this phenomenon, the findings suggest that killer whales may have acquired and passed on unique knowledge that allows them to take down heavy prey.
Despite its friendly reputation on TV shows and movies, killer whale They are well known to be apex predators wherever they live, hunting a variety of fish, rays, and marine mammals, including other dolphins. Although there are records of killer whales hunting various types of sharks, including great whites, whale sharks are not animals that pose a significant challenge to predators. Killer whales are the largest living members of the dolphin family, but they are still much larger than whale sharks. The average adult killer whale is about 20 feet (6 meters) long and weighs 6 tons; average whale shark They can grow up to 45 feet (13.7 meters) in length and weigh up to 20 tons (some whale sharks are even larger).
Although adult whale sharks are thought to have no natural enemies, younger, smaller whale sharks are sometimes hunted by sharks and other large fish. In the Gulf of California, whale sharks have been seen feeding on food, including juvenile whale sharks, and there are even reports of killer whales hunting whale sharks in the area.Even adults). However, this new study published friday diary Frontiers of marine scienceThis is the first time that we have confirmed this kind of report.
Marine biologist Eric Higuera Rivas and his colleagues collected photographic and video evidence from the public and scientists detailing four hunting incidents between 2018 and 2024. They found that the killer whales worked together to systematically weaken large prey, eventually concentrating on one prey and killing it. A specific part of the whale shark’s body: the pelvis.
“We show how killer whales work together to demonstrate their hunting skills. whale sharkIt is characterized by focusing on the pelvic area, which causes . whale shark It bleeds to give the killer whale access to its lipid-rich liver,” Higuera Rivas, a scientist at the non-profit marine research group Conexiones Terramar, said in a statement from Frontiers.
Moctezuma the killer whale was observed in three of these attacks, and another female killer whale previously seen with Moctezuma also participated in one attack. The repeated presence of these orcas at attack sites, combined with their precise hunting methods, suggests that they are part of a pod of orcas specialized in killing whale sharks. say the researchers.
“When hunting, all members of the pod work together. whale shark Flip it over. In that position, shark “They enter a tonic immobility state and are unable to move voluntarily or dive deep to escape,” Higuera Rivas said. “By keeping it under control, the killer whale can access the pelvic area more easily and faster.” shark Organs that are nutritionally important to them can be extracted. ”
Whale sharks and killer whales are both widely distributed, but whale sharks prefer to stick to warm, tropical waters. So it’s certainly possible that killer whales elsewhere learned how to hunt these giant fish. However, there is currently not much data available to determine which method is best. If Moctezuma and his pod are unique whale shark hunters, it could also have important implications for the conservation of this marine region. For example, any detrimental changes to the whale shark population in the Gulf could affect their chances of survival. And researchers say more care is needed to ensure that tourists and other visitors to the area don’t disturb the environment too much.
The ocean is filled with all kinds of mysteries and unknowns, especially in the world’s darkest and deepest crevices. But it seems that some of the biggest and most well-known marine creatures around have secrets of their own that remain undiscovered.
