Orcas Target Young Great Whites in Gulf of California
A specialized pod of orcas, known as Moctezuma’s pod, has been documented hunting and killing young great white sharks in the Gulf of California. These orcas have been observed using sophisticated hunting techniques, including flipping the sharks upside-down to access their nutrient-rich livers. The findings, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, suggest that orcas may be targeting white sharks more frequently than previously understood.
Marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas, the lead author of the study, described the behavior as a reflection of the orcas’ advanced intelligence and social learning capabilities. “Orcas that eat elasmobranchs—sharks and rays—could eat a great white shark if they wanted to, anywhere they went looking for one,” he stated. This indicates that the hunting techniques are passed down through generations, emphasizing the orcas’ strategic thinking.
The research team observed two hunts, during which they recorded the killing of three juvenile white sharks. The first hunt occurred in August 2020, when five orcas worked collaboratively to turn a juvenile white shark upside down before taking it underwater. The orcas re-emerged with the shark’s liver. A similar hunt was witnessed in August 2022, reinforcing the effectiveness of their hunting strategy.
Understanding the Hunting Techniques
The technique employed by the orcas induces a state known as tonic immobility in the sharks, rendering them defenseless. According to Higuera, this state alters the shark’s awareness, allowing the orcas to extract its liver and other organs while abandoning the rest of the carcass. The scientists speculate that orcas may have developed a specialized technique to minimize the risk of injury from biting sharks, making younger, less experienced sharks easier targets.
Dr. Salvador Jorgensen, a co-author of the study from California State University, highlighted the implications of this behavior. “Adult white sharks react quickly to hunting orcas, completely evacuating their seasonal gathering areas and not returning for months. But these juvenile white sharks may be naive to orcas,” he noted. The question remains whether these flight responses are instinctual or learned.
The pod’s name, Moctezuma, reflects a prominent member, suggesting a lineage of skilled hunters. Previously, this pod has been seen preying on rays, whale sharks, and bull sharks. The researchers propose that the orcas’ previous hunting experiences may have equipped them to effectively target great white sharks.
Environmental Changes and Future Research
Changes in the distribution of white sharks in the Pacific may have created new opportunities for Moctezuma’s pod. Climate phenomena, such as El Niño, appear to have altered nursery areas for white sharks, increasing their presence in the Gulf of California. This shift could expose juvenile sharks to predation by orcas more frequently, as each new cohort of young sharks becomes a seasonal target.
While the current observations provide valuable insights, the researchers emphasize the need for a broader survey to better understand the dietary habits of this orca population. Dr. Francesca Pancaldi from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional noted the challenges of conducting fieldwork in this area, stating, “So far, we have only observed this pod feeding on elasmobranchs. There could be more.”
The ongoing research aims to clarify whether this pod typically hunts white sharks or primarily targets juveniles when available. Understanding the extraordinary feeding behavior of these killer whales will aid in determining their critical habitats, ultimately contributing to conservation efforts to mitigate human impact on these marine ecosystems.
The findings shed light on the complex interactions between apex predators in the ocean, highlighting the adaptability and intelligence of orcas in response to environmental changes. Further studies are essential to uncover the full extent of these interactions and their implications for marine life in the Gulf of California.
