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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.
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And yet, I know people who will never share food, or pick up the tab.
They’re trying to fatten them up. No reason.
The Orcas know that New Zealand and California have lousy governments and their citizens might need help.
Give them a volleyball to play with.
The whales are very social animals and have lots of customs related to social bonding.
Other animals do similar things sometimes.
When you make friends with crows and feed them routinely, they often bring you little gifts.
And cats will often bring home prey for their owners. I’ve had cats bring me mice and locusts.
Bookmarking
OR, they want us to eat their leftovers so we'll stop fishing in their sea!
Bait.
My dogs hunts, but so far she never gifted me any.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
My late great cat, Frank N. Furter, was so proud when she brought me a small, live, frog. I picked her up, thanked her, praised her as a great huntress, and I swear, she sounded like a diesel generator she was purring so loudly.
Then, while she was snacking on some kibble I gave her, I picked up the shell shocked frog, pretended to eat it in front of her, then carried it outside.
She was none the wiser, and the frog hopped away into the bushes.
Dog psychology is different.
But she does ‘gift’ you - with her loyalty.
Nice story :-)
“Cook this, b1tch!”
Welfare Orcas….
Cats do that
My miniature dachshund, Tammy, was a few months old when one night we were outside, and she caught a grasshopper in her mouth. She caught it, then walked to the other end of the driveway and gentle let it go. That was one confused grasshopper, no doubt :-D
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