Posted on 12/17/2016 12:38:23 PM PST by nickcarraway
Marine biologists working off the coast of Australia have observed orca whales hunting and killing rare beaked whales—a behavior never before seen in the predatory species.
Scientists have seen orcas hunt an assortment of prey, including fish, seals, dolphins, and even the calves of large whales. But beaked whales? That’s a completely new hunting behavior, one that appears to be unique to orcas living near Bremer Bay in southwest Australia.
For the past two years, a research team led by Rebecca Wellard of Curtin University in Perth has accompanied commercial whale-watching boats to catch a glimpse of orca whales in action. On four of these outings, the researchers watched in horror and amazement as groups of up to 20 orca whales attacked and killed lone beaked whales. Their findings are now in the open access journal PLOS One.
As a warning, there are some disturbing images to follow.
During observations, this lone beaked whale was spotted near a group of orcas, and a chase ensued. (Image: Rebecca Wellard et al., 2016/PLOS One) Orcas, of course, are also known as killer whales—and for good reason—though technically speaking they’re actually dolphins. They’re one of the world’s most powerful apex predators, and they’re found in most of the Earth’s oceans. They can pretty much feast on whatever they want, even endangered species.
The beaked whale being flanked by killer whales closely on each side. (Image: Rebecca Wellard et al., 2016/PLOS One) While making their observations near Bremer Bay, the researchers watched as the orcas stalked their prey for hours. As is typical of orcas, they chased their prey to exhaustion, eventually killing the beaked whales through successive bites and forcing them underwater to drown. On two of these occasions, the orcas were seen stripping the carcasses of skin, indicating they were hunting for a meal and not just doing it for sport.
Beaked whales are toothless with elongated beaks, and they range in size from 13 to 43 feet (4-13 meters) in length. Not much is known about these whales owing to their deep-sea habitat, mysterious habits, and low abundance. Of the 22 species known to scientists, only four have been reasonably studied. In the new study, the orcas appear to be feasting on young or female strap-tooth whales.
Its what they do. Surprised?
If they haven’t blamed global warming or Donald Trump yet it isn’t much concern.
Perhaps we should allow hunting of the Orcas?
That would allow more beaked whales to survive.
It can only be due to Global Warming!
Interesting! In Nature bigger, stronger critters EAT smaller, weaker ones...and so on down the line.
Who knew? *SMIRK*
Next week: ‘Beaked Whales Killing The Endangered Blah-Blah Fish!’
Blame it on global warming or Russian hackers Take your choice.
Orcas need to get some manners.
Putin is behind this. maybe Climate Change as well.
Has anybody informed the Orcas that they can’t hunt and kill endangered species?
16 years
But after reading 11 responses ... Not one...Bush's Fault.
It could happen just not have been observed before. Still killing whales is not easy for orcas, they had to chase it for 1-2 hours to tire it out enough before drowning and skinning it.
I like killer whales and think that they are highly intelligent and fairly friendly. That being said, I would never voluntarily get into the water with them. If I was swimming in the ocean and found myself with killer whales I would probably foul the water.
What if Obama signs legislation to ban Orcas hunting beaked whales? That'll learn 'em!
/liberalthinking
Orcas write the rules. So now the rules include beaked whales. Try to stop them.
supposedly they need 500 lbs of food every day- per orca- they sure aint gonna get that eating sardines
“That’s a completely new hunting behavior.” New only for nerds watching Orcas for thirty years. They’ve been around for 10,000 and probably alternate diets every fifty years.
I'm more inclined to believe that orcas just don't see us as food rather than they are friendly. I wouldn't get into the water with an orca just in case one decided to experiment with its diet. A human being would have no chance of surviving an all-out attack by an adult orca.
I think you could very easily end up being an unusual looking and probably foul tasting “seal” to them!
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