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Killer whales: Orcas blow fish to bits 'for fun', researchers say
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Health & Science

Killer whales: Orcas blow fish to bits 'for fun', researchers say

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • Researchers documented killer whales (orcas) blowing a sunfish apart, an unusual behavior offering new insights into their actions.
  • While the sunfish was already dead, the behavior may be an attempt to create smaller pieces for eating or simply for play, as orcas are known to play with their food.
  • This observation highlights the intelligence and complex social behaviors of orcas, prompting calls for greater respect for these apex predators.

Killer whales have been observed engaging in a remarkable behavior: blowing a sunfish to pieces in an unusual underwater display that provides novel insights into orca actions. Research released on Thursday documented one orca holding the tail of a sunfish while a companion rammed the dead mola with full force, causing it to explode.

Or it could also just be for fun. Orcas are known for playing with their food.

— Kathryn AyresExplaining the possible motivations behind the orcas' behavior.

Researchers suggest this action might be a method to break the fish into smaller, more manageable bite-sized chunks for consumption. However, they also propose it could simply be a form of play, as orcas are known for interacting with their prey. "Orcas often tear apart prey and share it with other members of the group, including calves and juveniles," explained researcher Kathryn Ayres.

The documented incidents occurred twice in 2024 and 2025 off the Gulf of California. Scientists likened the behavior to human formal meals where socializing is as important as nutrition. Mark Peter Simmonds, director of science at OceanCare, compared it to a host carving a roast at a formal dinner.

Orcas often tear apart prey and share it with other members of the group, including calves and juveniles.

— Kathryn AyresDescribing orca social feeding behavior.

These highly intelligent apex predators are known for sophisticated hunting tactics and playful interactions with their environment. Previous observations include "wave washing" to dislodge seals from ice and wearing dead salmon as headwear. Research also shows they use tools, such as rubbing seaweed on each other for grooming. "It just really shows us how intelligent orca are," said scientist Rebecca Wellard. "I think I hope that gives people more respect for complex creatures that are great predators in their environment."

Perhaps it is similar to the time when the lead human at a formal meal would carve up the roast.

— Mark Peter SimmondsComparing the orcas' actions to human dining rituals.

The sunfish, which can weigh up to 2,000 kilograms, is characterized by its size and flattened body. The research notes that they do not commonly explode, indicating the force required for such an event. "They’re a heavy, bony fish, so it must be some severe ramming," Wellard added.

It just really shows us how intelligent orca are.

— Rebecca WellardCommenting on the intelligence of killer whales.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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