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Orcas

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Alaskan mammal-eating orcas surprise Seattle, leaving experts puzzled
science1 day ago

Alaskan mammal-eating orcas surprise Seattle, leaving experts puzzled

Three mammal-eating orcas from Alaska surfaced in the Seattle area in March, traveling roughly 1,500–2,000 miles from their typical range. Experts say undocumented pods show up so far south only rarely, and this trio is being tracked (likely a mother with two offspring) to understand where they came from and how long they’ll stay. The appearance highlights shifts in prey availability and ocean conditions in the Pacific Northwest and raises questions about how far outside their usual ranges these whales might travel.

via Live Science|
#alaska#killer-whales#orcas
Tooth-marked orca fins hint cannibalism shapes tight-knit pods
science1 month ago

Tooth-marked orca fins hint cannibalism shapes tight-knit pods

Live Science reports two washed-up orca dorsal fins from southern resident orcas found on Russia’s Bering Island, each bearing distinctive killer-whale tooth marks. Genetic testing links the fins to southern residents, while researchers say mammal-eating Bigg’s killer whales may have preyed on them, suggesting occasional cannibalism. The study posits that predation pressure by Bigg’s could help explain why resident, fish-eating orcas form large, protective family groups, though some scientists urge caution and note scavenging or other explanations could account for the marks.

via Live Science|
#biggs-killer-whales#cannibalism#orcas
Last Orca Survivors Spotted Off Scotland's West Coast
environment3 months ago

Last Orca Survivors Spotted Off Scotland's West Coast

A rare sighting off Scotland's west coast has recorded the last known members of the UK orca group, the West Coast Community, with only two individuals, John Coe and Aquarius, seen together after years of decline. The sightings highlight the ongoing challenges faced by marine species, including chemical contamination and habitat threats, while also marking significant discoveries like the first breeding site for the critically endangered flapper skate in Orkney.

via BBC|
#environment#hwdt#marine-life
Orcas Dominate and Attack Great White Sharks in the Ocean
science5 months ago

Orcas Dominate and Attack Great White Sharks in the Ocean

A pod of orcas off Mexico has developed a sophisticated hunting strategy to immobilize and prey on juvenile white sharks, primarily for their nutrient-rich livers, showcasing their advanced intelligence and social learning. This behavior, observed through detailed footage, highlights the orcas' ability to exploit sharks' tonic immobility, and may indicate a developing prey specialization within this pod.

via ScienceAlert|
#hunting-strategy#marine-biology#orcas
Orcas Terrorize and Hunt Great White Sharks in Stunning New Footage
science5 months ago

Orcas Terrorize and Hunt Great White Sharks in Stunning New Footage

Videos from Mexico reveal orcas hunting and eating the livers of young great white sharks, showcasing a specialized predation behavior that has been observed in other regions like South Africa. The behavior involves flipping sharks to induce tonic immobility, allowing orcas to extract the nutritious liver, and appears to be a learned, group-specific strategy that may be influenced by changing ocean conditions.

via NBC News|
#climate-change#great-white-sharks#hunting-behavior