A specialized pod of orcas, known as Moctezuma’s pod, has been observed in the Gulf of California executing a sophisticated hunting technique on young great white sharks. This behavior, captured on camera, involves flipping the sharks upside-down to access their energy-rich livers. The phenomenon may be linked to warming waters altering shark nursery areas, making juvenile sharks more vulnerable targets.
The observations suggest that orcas might hunt white sharks more frequently than previously understood. However, marine biologists emphasize the need for a broader survey to confirm these findings. “I believe that orcas that eat elasmobranchs — sharks and rays — could eat a great white shark, if they wanted to, anywhere they went looking for one,” said marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas, project director at Conexiones Terramar and Pelagic Life, and lead author of the study published in Frontiers in Marine Science.
Predators Become Prey
During routine monitoring, scientists documented two hunts by Moctezuma’s pod, resulting in the deaths of three juvenile white sharks. The hunts were meticulously recorded, with individual orcas identified by their dorsal fin features. In August 2020, five orcas were seen pursuing a juvenile white shark, flipping it upside-down to induce tonic immobility, a state that paralyzes the shark by altering its awareness. The orcas then extracted the shark’s liver before abandoning the carcass.
A similar hunt occurred in August 2022, where the orcas repeated the technique on another juvenile shark. “This temporary state renders the shark defenseless, allowing the orcas to extract its nutrient-rich liver and likely consume other organs as well,” explained Higuera. The technique minimizes the risk of being bitten, suggesting a specialized hunting strategy developed by the orcas.
Juvenile Sharks: Easy Targets?
This is the first documented instance of orcas repeatedly targeting juvenile white sharks. Dr. Salvador Jorgensen of California State University, a co-author of the study, noted, “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.” The research raises questions about whether white shark anti-predator responses are instinctual or learned.
Changing Ranges, Changing Diets?
Climate phenomena such as El Niño may have shifted the distribution of white sharks in the Pacific, presenting Moctezuma’s pod with new hunting opportunities. The increased presence of juvenile sharks in the Gulf of California could make them a seasonal target for the pod. However, these observations require further investigation through a detailed survey of the orcas’ diet to determine if they regularly hunt white sharks or focus on juveniles when available.
Dr. Francesca Pancaldi of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, and co-author of the study, remarked, “So far we have only observed this pod feeding on elasmobranchs. There could be more. Generating information about the extraordinary feeding behavior of killer whales in this region will lead us to understand where their main critical habitats are.” The goal is to create protected areas and management plans to mitigate human impact.
Implications and Future Research
The discovery of orcas targeting juvenile great white sharks highlights their advanced intelligence and adaptability. As apex predators, their hunting strategies can have significant ecological impacts, influencing the behavior and distribution of prey species. Further research is essential to understand the full extent of these interactions and their implications for marine ecosystems.
The scientists plan to continue their research, despite the challenges of fieldwork and the unpredictability of orca hunts. The findings could lead to important conservation efforts, ensuring the protection of both orcas and their prey in a rapidly changing ocean environment.
