In a striking display of predation, a specialized pod of orcas, known as Moctezuma’s pod, has been observed hunting and killing young great white sharks in the Gulf of California. These orcas have developed a technique of flipping the sharks upside down to access their nutrient-rich livers, an action that highlights both their intelligence and adaptability in a changing marine environment.
This behavior, documented during routine monitoring, marks the first time scientists have witnessed orcas repeatedly targeting juvenile white sharks, specifically Carcharodon carcharias. The incidents were recorded in detail, revealing the strategic hunting methods employed by the pod. During two separate hunts—one in August 2020 and another in August 2022—the orcas successfully killed three juvenile sharks.
Hunting Techniques and Behavioral Observations
Marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas, project director at Conexiones Terramar and Pelagic Life, noted that the orcas worked collaboratively to turn the sharks upside down, inducing a state known as tonic immobility. This phenomenon temporarily paralyzes the shark, making it defenseless against the orcas’ attack. “This behavior is a testament to orcas’ advanced intelligence, strategic thinking, and sophisticated social learning,” Higuera explained. The technique appears to minimize the risk of injury from the sharks’ defensive bites.
In the first documented hunt, five orcas were observed pushing a juvenile white shark to the surface and flipping it upside down, ultimately emerging with the shark’s liver. A similar pattern was noted during the second hunt, reinforcing the notion that this pod has developed a specialized method for hunting juvenile sharks.
Environmental Impacts and Future Research
The increased presence of juvenile great white sharks in the Gulf of California may be attributed to changes in their nursery areas caused by climate events such as El Niño. These alterations could expose younger sharks to predation, as they are less experienced in evading orca attacks. “Adult white sharks react quickly to hunting orcas, completely evacuating their seasonal gathering areas,” said Dr. Salvador Jorgensen of California State University. “Juvenile white sharks, however, may be naive to orcas, and their responses to these predators are not yet understood.”
The researchers aim to conduct a comprehensive survey of the orca population’s diet to determine if they regularly hunt white sharks or primarily target juveniles when available. This undertaking presents logistical challenges, as fieldwork is expensive and orca hunts are unpredictable. “So far, we have only observed this pod feeding on elasmobranchs,” stated Dr. Francesca Pancaldi from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas.
The findings underscore the need for further research to understand the orca’s feeding behavior and the potential for establishing protected areas to mitigate human impact on this dynamic predator-prey relationship in the Gulf of California.
In summary, the documented interactions between orcas and juvenile great white sharks reveal a complex and evolving relationship that merits closer scrutiny, particularly as environmental changes continue to reshape marine ecosystems.