Orcas — also known as killer whales — are once again on the offensive.
Their new target is whale sharks, the world’s largest fish species. According to CNN, a new study — published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science on Nov. 29 — discovered that an orca pod off the coast of Mexico systematically and effectively attacks whale sharks as prey.
Though whale sharks are enormous — capable of growing up to 60 feet long — they are known to be gentle creatures. Conversely, orcas can grow roughly 32 feet long and are apex predators.
Kelsey Williamson
Orca hits whale shark with the side of its head
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The study’s scientists observed four separate hunting encounters in which the orca pod encountered and attacked a whale shark. Kelsey Williamson provided photos from the encounters, which are available on EurekAlert!
CNN reported that the experts observed the killer whales strategically targeting young, still-growing whale sharks at feeding sites.
With a disproportionally small brain for its body mass, the whale shark’s size is its main advantage. But young whale sharks aren’t any larger than full-grown orcas, making them prime targets for the killer whales.
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“It’s a big, big fish that is very slow compared with other sharks. It has tiny, tiny teeth that it doesn’t use as a defense mechanism,” said Francesca Pancaldi, first author of the study and a researcher at Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas in Mexico. “The only defense it has is flailing or diving down. It can dive to 2,000 meters or more.”
Kelsey Williamson
Orcas (killer whales)
Another study author, marine biologist Erick Higuera, told NPR that he was most surprised to find that orcas “are definitely specialist hunters. “
The study found that whale sharks are skilled divers, so orcas attack from below and keep the whale shark at the water’s surface. Then, the orcas find a way to flip the whale shark so it’s belly up. This move paralyzes them and causes the whale sharks to slip into a kind of trance.
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The orcas then start biting the whale shark’s soft stomach, causing the massive animal to bleed out.
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Higuera said that a pack of orcas carries out this kind of attack — it wouldn’t be possible for a single animal to accomplish alone.
“They organize the efforts. They organize the hunt,” Higuera said. “They’re like snipers.”
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