Killer Whales Revive 1980s 'Salmon Hat' Trend in Puget Sound

Orcas in Washington state are balancing dead salmon on their heads again after a 37-year hiatus, puzzling researchers and sparking curiosity about their behavior.

The 'salmon hat' behavior, last observed in 1987, has returned among orcas in the Puget Sound region of Washington state.
The trend involves killer whales balancing dead salmon on their heads, a behavior that spread rapidly within pods in the 1980s before disappearing by 1988.
Researchers speculate the resurgence may be linked to a surplus of salmon in the area or could be a playful behavior among the highly intelligent species.
Some of the orcas exhibiting this behavior may be the same individuals from the original 1987 trend, as killer whales can live up to 100 years.
Orcas are known for their cultural learning and innovative hunting techniques, with other documented behaviors including attacking great white sharks and using waves to dislodge seals from ice floes.