Orcas Unveil New Tactics in Whale Shark Hunts
TL;DR
A group of orcas off the coast of Mexico has developed a brutal hunting strategy to prey on whale sharks, the world's largest shark species. By flipping the sharks upside down to immobilize them, the orcas target the pelvic area to cause bleeding and access the nutrient-rich livers. This behavior, observed in the Gulf of California, involves a male orca named Moctezuma, who may be teaching these tactics to others. The findings highlight the orcas' ability to develop specialized hunting techniques for specific prey.
- Orca gang develops brutal hunting strategy to take on the world's largest shark — 'This is a fascinating behaviour' Livescience.com
- Images reveal how an orca pod hunts the world’s largest fish CNN
- Killer Whales Hunt Whale Sharks and Feast on Their Livers The New York Times
- Orcas have learned how to hunt and kill huge whale sharks, video shows The Washington Post
- Scientists finally know the clever tricks orca use to hunt whale sharks National Geographic
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