Orcas Documented Hunting Massive Whale Sharks Using Coordinated Strategies
Researchers detail how orca pods off Mexico use teamwork to target the world's largest fish for their nutrient-rich livers.
Overview
- A study published in 'Frontiers in Marine Science' describes orcas hunting whale sharks, the largest fish species, in the Gulf of California.
- The orcas work together to flip the whale sharks onto their backs, immobilizing them and exposing their less-protected underbellies.
- Attacks focus on the abdomen, allowing orcas to access the high-fat liver, a prized resource for the predators.
- Researchers analyzed four recorded attacks from 2018 to 2024, identifying individual orcas involved, including one named Moctezuma, seen in three incidents.
- These findings highlight the adaptability and strategic hunting behavior of orcas, which are known to target a wide range of prey.