Killer whales have been seen by locals using a unique technique to hunt whale sharks in the Gulf of California.
The Orcinus orca, commonly known as the killer whale, is the largest member of the dolphin family. The killer whale has sharp, deadly teeth that measure around 3 inches in length, with a diameter of about 1-4 inches. Mostly, killer whales eat fish or marine mammals based on the country. However, since 2018, locals off the coast of La Paz, Baja California have spotted killer whales preying on the largest living fish: the whale shark. Although this giant shark is harmless, scientist believed that it was off limits to killer whales, due to their extreme size difference. Now, they believe they have evidence that killer whales are preying on younger, more vulnerable whale sharks.
According to the National Geographic documentary, Secrets of the Whales (episode one), killer whales are very intelligent creatures that work together in their pod to hunt food.
“We show how orcas displayed a collaborative hunting technique on whale sharks, characterised by focusing on attacking the pelvic area causing the whale shark to bleed out and allow orcas access to the lipid-rich liver,” says marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas, at the Conexiones TerraMar. The pod of killer whales would work together to turn the whale shark upside down. This makes the shark more vulnerable, as it becomes immobile. With the shark in this position, the killer whales are able to approach the pelvic area and extract organs, providing the mammals with an essential source of nutrition.
Scientists have observed one particular killer whale, in the Gulf of California, who has engaged in at least three whale shark attacks. The male, known as “Moctezuma”, has been seen multiple times using photo identification. “Moctezuma” was first discovered in 1992 and is believed to lead a pod that is potentially specialized in hunting whale sharks.
In 1997, the marine world was taken aback by the unusual sighting of a killer whale attacking a great white shark. “Two top of the line predator species, that many marine biologists assumed would normally avoid each other,” said a news reporter at the time.
Now, killer whales have shocked marine biologists again by targeting the largest living fish.