It would seem that the nickname of “Killer Whale” may not be too far from the truth. Populations of Orca whales have learnt how to intricately overpower sharks. It would appear that Orca’s hunt by flipping sharks upside down which renders them paralyzed! They then proceed to “karate chop” them and then later devour them.
According to Dr Ingrid Visser, an Orca scientist for the past 17 years:
The orca will use its tail to drive the shark to the surface. They don't even touch it. Using an up-thrust of its tail it creates a vortex which pushes the shark up on they current they create with their movements.
Once the shark is at the surface, the killer whale pivots and lifts its tail out of the water and comes down on top of it like a karate chop.
The orca then grasps the shark and turns it upside down - suggesting that they may somehow understand shark biology.
When sharks are quickly flipped upside down, they enter a paralysed state known as 'tonic immobility'.
They always eventually turn the shark upside down," added Dr Visser. "At that point the shark cannot fight back, it has been a successful hunt and they can feed.
So who else wants to start the “Don’t Free Willy so quick” campaign?
Source: Telegraph
