Orcas attack the pelvis of whale sharks to make them easier to catch

The Gulf of California is a place where whale sharks – the largest fish in the world – glide through the deep blue and grow up to 18 meters long. They are no longer the undisputed titans of the ocean.

Killer whales or “orcas” as they are popularly known, feed on marine mammals, turtles and even these whale sharks.

It looks like a pod has developed new skills and made these whale sharks their preferred prey.

New hunting behavior of killer whales

Erick Higuera Rivas, a senior marine biologist at Conexiones Terramar, recently presented new evidence supporting this new hunting behavior during the aggregation of juvenile whale sharks in the Gulf of California.

Higuera Rivas, known for his significant contributions to marine biology, is the senior author of the corresponding article published in Frontiers of Marine Sciences.

“Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are the top predators in the world’s oceans and as such have access to prey species of all trophic levels and sizes. Due to their enhanced cognitive abilities, they are frequent predators of other ocean giants, including large sharks,” the researchers write.

“Observations of these predator-prey interactions are rare worldwide; However, recordings appear to be increasing in recent years, possibly due to increased access to surveillance.”

Orcas hunt whale sharks

The series of robberies occurred between 2018 and 2024 and were captured in images and videos by both the public and scientists.

Interestingly, three of the four reported events consistently involved a single orca. This orca, known as Moctezuma, worked closely with other group members and may have specialized in shark hunting.

“During the hunt, all group members work together and hit the whale shark to turn it upside down. In this position, the sharks enter a state of tonic immobility and can no longer move voluntarily or escape by going deeper,” explained Higuera Rivas.

“By keeping it under control, the orcas can more easily and quickly approach the shark’s pelvic area and harvest organs that are nutritionally important to it.”

Whale Shark: Vulnerable Prey

As the least protected part of the whale shark, the ventral side became an easy target for the orcas because there was less muscle and cartilage, allowing easier access to the aorta.

Although the liver makes up an important part of the orcas’ diet, none of the photos taken showed that orcas consumed the organ.

Implications of the results

The discovery of a whale shark hunting station in the Gulf of California highlights the urgent need for better management of marine adventurers and tourists to reduce disruption.

Higuera Rivas strongly emphasizes the importance of sustainable and respectful non-extractive exploitation activities and calls for specific regulatory standards.

Additionally, the survival of this pod of orcas could be at risk due to possible threats from climate change, which could lead to the disappearance of whale sharks from the region.

If this were to happen, it could cause significant disruption to orca populations and their hunting behavior.

The results provide researchers with valuable insight into hunting adaptations that are unique depending on geographic location and species-specific needs.

“It’s very impressive how orcas work together strategically and intelligently to target only a very specific area of ​​prey. It underlines what great predators they are,” noted Higuera Rivas.

Delicate balance of marine ecosystems

The discovery of orcas preying on whale sharks has significant implications for conservation efforts to protect orca populations and their ecosystems.

Understanding the specific hunting adaptations and strategies used by orcas in different regions can inform targeted conservation efforts.

By implementing regulatory norms that promote sustainable and respectful non-extractive activities, we can help protect the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and mitigate potential threats from climate change.

This knowledge will guide conservationists and policymakers in their ongoing efforts to protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats.

The hunting behavior of orcas goes beyond that of sharks

While this study sheds light on the hunting adaptations of orcas in a specific geographic location, there is much more to explore and discover.

Future research could focus on studying the hunting behavior and adaptations of orcas in different regions around the world.

By studying these variations, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the ecological diversity and evolutionary dynamics of this apex predator.

Additionally, research into the potential impacts of human activities and climate change on orca populations and their hunting behavior would provide further information on conservation strategies for their long-term survival.

The study is published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

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