Orcas Exhibit Unique Feeding Behavior

Orcas display fascinating behaviors that continue to intrigue scientists. A recent study has documented instances of orcas ramming sunfish with such force that the fish explode. This startling action was observed off the shores of Cabo San Lucas by Kathryn Ayres, a scientist with Beneath The Waves. Ayres witnessed one orca hold a sunfish while another orca rammed it at high speed, resulting in a flurry of sunfish fragments.

The study, co-authored by marine biologist Erick Higuera from Conexiones Terramar, highlights a behavior termed ‘stabilize-and-ram.’ Higuera notes that while this may appear shocking, it is a form of highly specialized biology rather than cruelty. He suggests the behavior might serve a dual purpose: aiding younger orcas in feeding or serving as a playful activity. Orcas are known for playful behaviors, including donning salmon as hats and even interfering with ships.

Robert Pitman, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University, likens orcas to cats in their playful tendencies. However, he views this particular behavior primarily as a feeding strategy. Older orcas and those without teeth face challenges when eating due to worn or missing teeth, making the sunfish, with its tough, dense skin, a difficult meal. The ramming behavior may enable orcas to efficiently consume sunfish without the need for tearing it apart piece by piece.

Only two cases of this behavior have been documented. One was observed by Ayres in July 2024, and another by a tourism operator last September. Higuera considers the ramming potentially a social game that could involve elements of parental care, preparing food for younger orcas. Despite the playful aspects, the primary function seems to remain a practical feeding method, breaking down tough prey into manageable sizes.

There’s interest in learning if this behavior is exclusive to certain orca pods in Baja California or if it occurs more broadly. Higuera perceives this as cultural knowledge among a limited number of pods. Pitman appreciates the documentation of this behavior, offering insights into orca interactions he has observed in the past. However, he cautions thrill-seeking snorkelers to remain vigilant when observing orcas to avoid any hazards.