Orcas, also known as killer whales, are known to prey on a variety of marine life, including mammals, turtles and fish. Now, a pod of orcas in the Gulf of California appears to have developed unique hunting techniques to target whale sharks – the largest fish in the world.
Whale sharks – which can grow up to 18 metres long – often gather in specific locations in the Gulf, where juveniles and smaller individuals are more vulnerable to predators. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that orcas may be exploiting this opportunity, but it wasn't until now that researchers had photographic and video evidence.
A team of marine biologists documented four separate events in which orcas were observed hunting these massive sharks.
“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 Erick Higuera Rivas, a marine biologist at Conexiones Terramar and senior author of the study published in Frontiers in Marine Science.
“One individual was engaged in three of the four events, alongside other members who might belong to a pod specialised in hunting sharks.”
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Orcas vs whale sharks
The documented predation events occurred between 2018 and 2024 in the southern Gulf of California. These instances were captured through photos and videos taken by both scientists and members of the public. By examining these images, researchers identified individual orcas based on the unique markings on their dorsal fins and scars.
A male orca, nicknamed Moctezuma, was present in three of the four recorded hunts. In one instance, he was joined by a female orca previously seen with him, suggesting they may belong to the same pod or even be related.
“When hunting, all pod members work together, hitting the whale shark to turn it upside down. In that position, the sharks enter a state of tonic immobility and can no longer move voluntarily or escape by going deeper,” Higuera Rivas explains. “By keeping it under control, the orcas then have greater ease and speed in approaching the pelvic area of the shark and are able to extract organs of nutritional importance for them.”
Researchers believe orcas target the less-protected ventral side of whale sharks, where there is less muscle and cartilage, making it easier to access vital organs such as the aorta. Although whale shark livers are highly nutritious and known to be a valuable part of orcas’ diets, there was no photographic evidence of the orcas consuming the organ during these hunts.
This behaviour suggests that some orcas in the Gulf of California may have developed specific skills to prey on whale sharks. While similar techniques could exist in other regions, documentation is limited.
What this behaviour means
Documenting these hunts was no small feat. Orca attacks are unpredictable, and obtaining clear images or videos is often challenging due to low quality or limited availability.
Despite these obstacles, the researchers believe their findings carry significant implications. The existence of a pod specialised in hunting whale sharks highlights the need for stricter regulations to protect marine wildlife and promote sustainable tourism in the region.
“There must be a specific regulatory norm that guarantees that any type of non-extractive use activity is carried out in a respectful and sustainable manner,” says Higuera Rivas.
Moreover, if Moctezuma’s pod has developed specialised hunting techniques for whale sharks, they could face risks if their prey declines due to climate change or other environmental factors, say the researchers.
These findings shed light on the remarkable adaptability of orcas and their intelligence as predators. “It is very impressive how orcas work together strategically and intelligently to access only a very specific area of the prey. It highlights what great predators they are,” Higuera Rivas concludes.
This new insight helps deepen our understanding of how orcas adapt their behaviours to suit their environment and prey – an important step in learning how best to protect these extraordinary animals.
Find out more about the study: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) hunt, kill and consume the largest fish on Earth, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus)”
Main image: orca hits the shark with the side of its head/Kelsey Williamson
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