Posted on 07/03/2025 7:23:45 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Wild orcas, also known as Killer whales, have been spotted offering food to humans in unusual interactions recorded over the past 20 years, according to a new study that has scientists searching for answers.
The findings, published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, describe 34 confirmed cases where orcas voluntarily approached humans and dropped sea creatures near them. These offerings included fish, seabirds, stingrays, whale parts, seaweed, and even a turtle. Most interactions were observed off the coasts of California, Norway, and New Zealand.
The orcas often paused after delivering the prey, as if watching to see how people would respond. In some cases, they repeated the action more than once. On three occasions, humans handed the items back, and the orcas returned them.
Researchers consider the behavior to be social bonding Jared Towers, lead author of the study and executive director of Bay Cetology, a marine research institute in Canada, said the behavior may mirror how orcas bond.
“Orcas often share food with each other,” Towers said in a statement. “It’s a prosocial activity and a way that they build relationships with each other.”
Grecian Delight supports Greece The researchers included only well-documented cases (either filmed or confirmed through interviews) and excluded unclear or secondhand reports. Each recorded event involved orcas approaching humans on their own while people were in the sea, near the shoreline, or aboard boats.
Food sharing is likely not a form of play While orcas are known for playful behavior, such as tossing objects or even damaging boat rudders, scientists believe the food offerings were not part of a game. According to the study, there was little evidence that the whales were toying with the prey. The gestures appeared intentional, not playful.
Researchers suggested that orcas may be practicing learned behavior, exploring their environment, or testing human reactions. However, the exact reason remains unclear.
Experts praise cautious, detailed research Erich Hoyt, a senior researcher at Whale and Dolphin Conservation who was not involved in the study, praised the authors’ careful approach. “The study was done carefully, removing borderline cases, and the method was clearly explained,” Hoyt said in an email. “The authors are suitably careful about the conclusions and suggesting various explanations.”
Hoyt also noted that the behavior wasn’t limited to playful young orcas. Whales of all ages and sexes were involved, pointing to a broader social pattern.
Behavior tied to specific hunting groups All the orcas in the study were generalist hunters. These whales typically feed on surface fish and air-breathing animals such as seals and other whales. None of the interactions involved deep-water fish hunters, despite some of those orcas being familiar with humans.
Whales that hunt large prey often share food within their pods, Hoyt explained. It’s not surprising that those used to cooperative hunting might be more inclined to offer food, even to humans.
The findings shed light on the social complexity of orcas and suggest they may be capable of initiating unexpected, possibly symbolic interactions with people. Still, scientists agree: the meaning behind the behavior remains a mystery.
They must be smart enough to figure out we are smarter. They obviously see us in command of giant ships . It is perhaps a behavior similar to buying politicians.
have been spotted offering food to humans
Fascinating...how far away from the humans were the scientists? Journalist writing this was far away from competence.
Twilight Zone Marathon today.
Trade.
They want something.
How can we get them to bring up cool stuff from shipwrecks?
Beware of Orcas bearing gifts
We had a lab when I was a child that regularly brought us mice and gophers. Mom would take them into the kitchen and discreetly dispose of them. I honestly think he thought she was cooking them up. He also rang the doorbell to be let in at night.
That’s how wolves feed their young. Adult comes back to the den with dinner it has swallowed. Then the pups lick near the adult’s mouth, which triggers the adult to throw up the food. I guess they don’t have any shopping bags for bringing home the bacon.
😄
😉
I have seen videos of small Herons, maybe Green Herons, baiting small fish with bread. They would move the bait if a large fish came to it or if the location wasn’t working. Orcas in captivity have caught birds on the shallow shelf at the end of the pool, but I don’t recall if they had deliberately put out bait.
I have seen videos of small Herons, maybe Green Herons, baiting small fish with bread. They would move the bait if a large fish came to it or if the location wasn’t working. Orcas in captivity have caught birds on the shallow shelf at the end of the pool, but I don’t recall if they had deliberately put out bait.
Ther trying to lure people into a sense of false security. Then when they decide to swim with them like they do dolphins, it’s lunch time for the pack. Orcas are smart. Don’t fall for it.
Maybe it’s their way of saying “FAFO”......
What a lovely memory, with a happy ending for all.
We are truly blessed to spend any time with God’s creatures.
Happy Independence Day,
Tatt
So, no prince from the frog? Better luck next time, kitty.
She was just so proud of her offering to me.
Meanwhile, I was like “WHAT THE FFFFFFFF!” I gathered it up, ran it out to the pool patio and tossed it into the grass, saying, “Fly, be free little frog...”
A cat that makes frog sushi, what will they thin of next.
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