Stunning Footage Reveals Orcas' Unlikely Hunting Strategy: Flipping Great White Sharks Upside Down to Feast on Their Livers.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Marine Science has shed new light on the hunting tactics of orcas, also known as killer whales. Using cutting-edge drone technology, scientists have captured breathtaking footage of a pod of orcas in the Gulf of California targeting juvenile great white sharks by flipping them upside down and devouring their livers.
The unusual behavior was observed for the first time by marine biologist Erick Higuera in August 2020, who has been studying orcas for over a decade. Initially, Higuera couldn't identify the species of shark being targeted, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was a juvenile great white shark.
Orcas tend to hunt adult great whites because they offer a larger liver, which is rich in nutrients. However, this study reveals that orcas in the Gulf of California are targeting juvenile great whites, which may be born only a year or two ago. Researchers believe that this strategy may provide an advantage for the pod, as younger sharks may be more naive and vulnerable to attacks.
The new hunting tactic involves orcas flipping the shark upside down, inducing a state of tonic immobility that temporarily paralyzes the prey. This allows the orcas direct access to their liver, which can weigh up to 1,300 pounds – about a quarter of the shark's total mass.
"It's like they're saying, 'Why go for the big one when you can get the smaller, more vulnerable one?'" said study co-author Salvador Jorgensen. Climatic shifts in the Pacific Ocean may be contributing to this new hunting strategy, as El Niño events and marine heat waves have altered great white shark nursery areas.
The discovery highlights the complexities of orca behavior and their interactions with other species. As researchers continue to explore the ocean, they are still uncovering mysteries like this one, which underscores the importance of continued research and monitoring of these apex predators.
"It's exciting that we're finding new stuff, even in this day and age," Jorgensen said. "There's still so much to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants."
A recent study published in Frontiers in Marine Science has shed new light on the hunting tactics of orcas, also known as killer whales. Using cutting-edge drone technology, scientists have captured breathtaking footage of a pod of orcas in the Gulf of California targeting juvenile great white sharks by flipping them upside down and devouring their livers.
The unusual behavior was observed for the first time by marine biologist Erick Higuera in August 2020, who has been studying orcas for over a decade. Initially, Higuera couldn't identify the species of shark being targeted, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was a juvenile great white shark.
Orcas tend to hunt adult great whites because they offer a larger liver, which is rich in nutrients. However, this study reveals that orcas in the Gulf of California are targeting juvenile great whites, which may be born only a year or two ago. Researchers believe that this strategy may provide an advantage for the pod, as younger sharks may be more naive and vulnerable to attacks.
The new hunting tactic involves orcas flipping the shark upside down, inducing a state of tonic immobility that temporarily paralyzes the prey. This allows the orcas direct access to their liver, which can weigh up to 1,300 pounds – about a quarter of the shark's total mass.
"It's like they're saying, 'Why go for the big one when you can get the smaller, more vulnerable one?'" said study co-author Salvador Jorgensen. Climatic shifts in the Pacific Ocean may be contributing to this new hunting strategy, as El Niño events and marine heat waves have altered great white shark nursery areas.
The discovery highlights the complexities of orca behavior and their interactions with other species. As researchers continue to explore the ocean, they are still uncovering mysteries like this one, which underscores the importance of continued research and monitoring of these apex predators.
"It's exciting that we're finding new stuff, even in this day and age," Jorgensen said. "There's still so much to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants."
thinkin about this orca thing... they dont just hunt for food, they also strategize. it makes sense tho, like how we prioritize tasks at work - why do the big deal when u can do the smaller one 1st? 
& its not just about being bigger, sometimes bein smaller is a strength 