Instead of Hunting in Groups, Orcas May be Attacking Great White Sharks Alone

Killer whales have unique behaviors, and have been seen hunting great white sharks by themselves.

By Elizabeth Gamillo
Mar 1, 2024 10:00 PM
Orca_jumping_out_of_the_water.jpg
(Credit: Tory Kallman/Shutterstock)

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Orcas know there is strength in numbers. The whales typically hunt in packs and ambush larger prey like seals, other whales, and sea lions. But, in an odd case, researchers have recently observed orcas hunting alone — and attacking the apex predator, the great white shark.

An orca could attack great white sharks for their liver, which is rich in fats, as explained in a press release by Alison Towner, marine biologist and study author. Researchers have seen killer whales attack sharks before in groups or pairs, but in a new study published in the African Journal of Marine Science, an orca for the first time was seen attacking a great white shark by itself.


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