Marine antics are once again making waves, and as expected, orcas are behind the latest spectacle.
Known for their sophisticated hunting strategies, orcas (Orcinus orca) have been observed in the Gulf of California engaging in a new, peculiar behavior: colliding forcefully with giant sunfish to break them apart.
Marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas from Conexiones Terramar in Mexico shared his first observation of this behavior in December 2021 with ScienceAlert, describing it as a breathtaking display of power. “The scale of the tissue explosion was highly unusual,” he noted.
This wasn’t an isolated event. The behavior has been recorded two more times, in 2024 and 2025, prompting a detailed scientific analysis.
Researchers, including Higuera Rivas and marine scientist Kathryn Ayres from Beneath The Waves, examined these incidents in a new Frontiers in Ethology paper. Their findings reveal a coordinated technique that leaves many questions unanswered about the orcas’ true intentions.
In these encounters, a group of orcas targets a sharptail mola (Masturus lanceolatus). One orca holds the sunfish in place, while another builds up speed before crashing into it, tearing it apart.
“I never imagined this could be the hunting method orcas would use against defenseless prey that posed little risk to the predator.” – marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas.
In one instance, a juvenile orca eagerly consumed the remains. Interestingly, the collision did not kill the sunfish. Higuera Rivas explained that on closer inspection, the sunfish appeared to be already dead, with their internal organs removed before the impact.
The orcas’ use of energy seems intended for butchery, breaking the carcass into smaller pieces. The sharptail mola’s anatomy may explain this approach, as the fish’s thick, collagen-rich skin is tough to tear apart.
Higuera Rivas clarified, “Sunfish skin cannot be cleanly unzipped. It is an incredibly dense, waterlogged shield of collagen.” Instead of ripping it, orcas harness kinetic energy to smash it into digestible pieces.
By employing a ‘stabilization-and-ram’ model, the orcas work together to compensate for their lack of tearing appendages. One orca holds the prey steady while the other delivers a powerful blow.
Orcas are known for their intelligence and adaptability, seeking challenging prey that tests their skills. However, molas are slow and defenseless, making this behavior puzzling. This technique may serve as both a way to break the fish into smaller pieces and a practice opportunity for younger orcas, aiding their development.
Higuera Rivas explained, “Orcas are highly encephalized predators that frequently engage in object manipulation and play behavior with their prey.” Sunfish offer a low-risk chance for young orcas to hone their skills and strengthen social bonds.
Further observations are needed to verify this hypothesis. If proven, this behavior would add to the list of regional hunting techniques orcas pass down through generations.
Related: Orcas Have a Killer Technique to Hunt The Biggest Fish in The Ocean
The specific orca pod involved in these incidents remains unidentified, but scientists suspect the ramming method might be a strategy developed specifically for this species of mola. The ongoing study of these remarkable creatures continues to reveal unexpected behaviors to even the most knowledgeable researchers.
“I never imagined this could be the hunting method orcas would use against defenseless prey that posed little risk to the predator,” Higuera Rivas remarked.
The detailed findings are documented in the Frontiers in Ethology journal.
This article was fact-checked by Rachel Garner and edited by Clare Watson. While we pride ourselves on our process, we are only human. If you spot a mistake, please let us know.
