In the Gulf of California, orcas have been observed employing sophisticated hunting strategies to target whale sharks, the largest fish species on Earth. This remarkable behavior showcases the intelligence and cooperative skills of these apex predators.
Research has documented how orcas work together to ram whale sharks, stunning them and preventing deep dives, which are their primary defense mechanism. The gentle giants can grow as long as a school bus and primarily feed on plankton, making them vulnerable to these coordinated attacks.
Erick Higuera, a marine biologist and one of the study's authors, notes, "They organize the hunt, the ambush. They're like snipers. They're specialists in their hunting tactics." This adds to the growing evidence that killer whales are the ocean's top predators, capable of hunting everything from blue whales to great white sharks.
Higuera has followed a specific pod of killer whales for years and documented their unique hunting methods through video footage. The study revealed that orcas flip whale sharks onto their backs, inducing a trance-like state known as tonic immobility, before attacking their soft underbelly.
Francesca Pancaldi, a co-author of the study, explains that this technique allows orcas to access the shark's liver, a highly nutritious part of its body. This cultural knowledge of hunting strategies is passed down through generations within orca families.
Orcas around the world exhibit diverse hunting techniques, with some targeting marine mammals while others focus on fish. Their ability to instill fear in other marine species, such as great white sharks, highlights their apex predator status.